Satyricon are not a band I've followed throughout the years, but one thing I know from reading reviews and interviews is that you never really know what to expect next from these guys. Deep Calleth Upon Deep is certainly not the blasting Scandinavian black metal I was expecting. This album is rather slow paced and I would even say "quiet" compared to some of their older work. The harsh vocals are there, but the music could likely work (though not necessarily as well) with clean vocals. The second song sticks out as it could almost fit on a Witchery album, especially the beginning.

It's not what I expected but still an agreeable surprise. Well played, heavy, with a gloomy atmosphere to boot, Deep Calleth Upon Deep is not so much black metal as it is blackened heavy metal. Whatever you call it, it showcases a band that has perfected its songwriting skills over the years.