Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Bloody Sign - "Vana Vigala Loits" - Ibex Moon Records 2004 --Kazimierez

Track Listing1. Possessed by the Ancient Earth 2. Unleashing the Power of the Bloody Sign 3. Conquering Pain 4. Vana Vigala Loits (Introduction) 5. Vana Vigala Loits (Part 2) 6. Parricide (Pestilence cover) 7. Banished 8. Master of Nothing (Live at La Laiterie, April 2003)

"Vana Vigala Loits" is my first introduction to France's Bloody Sign. Bloody Sign play a brand of brutal, simplistic death metal with thrash and black metal influences. While not pushing any boundaries in the black/death metal spectrum, they definitely play their style with conviction and considerable skill. Bloody Sign's music is an amalgamation of old school death metal and classic black metal riffing mixed with out of control drumming heavy on the blast beats. It's all topped off by vocalist Hagend's unrelenting guttural delivery. His classic death metal gutturals are high in clarity and comprehensibility, but also rife with callousness and intensity. They are definitely the highlight of the record for me (other than the inclusion of a mouth harp on track 5!). Lyrically, most songs deal with pagan themes, a theme not touched upon much in the world of death metal. The title track is sung entirely in Estonian, and it's accompanying intro is nothing more than a haunting hymn performed by the indigenous Setumaa people of Estonia in their native tongue. Interesting, to say the least.

Overall, "Vana Vigala Loits" is a solid record, especially for a debut. However, I can't say that I'm a fan of primitive, old school styled death metal. But, if you can cover a song by one of my favorite bands (Pestilence) and do it justice, you're alright in my book. If you're a fan of Asphyx, Incantation or bands of a similar ilk give this record a spin. You might be pleasantly surprised.


--Kazimierez 02.10.05