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I really didn't know what to expect when I stuck this CD into my stereo, after never even hearing the band's name before, let alone any of their material. All I had to go on was the obscure band bio and even stranger cover artwork on the CD (which features a whopping dream catcher and two American Indians smoking pipes, naturally(!)) to go by. What I am met with musically is pretty solid actually; a hybrid of black and death metal with an odd ethnic Russian feel ingrained within its textures (not just in the completely Russian lyrics, but something in the melodies and overall passion that the music is played with). At times, there is even an epic Bathory-esque feel to the melody lines (on the song 'Fall Dream Trip 1', it is particularly noticeable).

This bunch of talented musicians have a great ear for completely harmonious synth and orchestrated keyboards (to be honest they could teach Dimmu Borgir a thing or two if you ask me), everything interwoven so perfectly that it really is a joy to listen to. OK, so it's not going to blow your socks off and set your world aflame like the first time you heard Slayer, but Atoll Nerat are certainly another reason to support the underground scene, to nurture such bands as this worldwide, and to keep the metal flame burning with pure, honest, passionate and very well written music.