Just when you thought you were out of the darkness, HELLVETO is here to pull you back in! This here Polish outfit, now about to enter its 14th year of existence, is the brainchild of its sole member, a man simply known as L.O.N. A curious fact, too, considering that both stylistically and quality-wise, "Neoheresy" plants itself firmly alongside some of the greatest work of two other one-man bands, namely BATHORY and BURZUM. Imagine the battle-ready mid-paced metal of "Blood Fire Death" combined with the melody and hypnotic repetition of "Filosofem." During the 35-minute duration of this album, prepare to be confronted head-on by galloping hooves and drawn sword in "Taran," chilled to be bone by the dissonant acoustic guitar and piano of "Milczace Sumienie," pummeled six feet into the ground with the blast beats of "Gdy Umiera Swit" and driven into a warlike frenzy with the synthesized orchestral and timpani pounding of "Herezja." Everything from the riffs to the synth to the vocal chanting sounds meticulously fine-tuned and deliberate, and if those drums are fake they certainly don't sound like they are.

In other words, what we have here is everything that fans of black and/or pagan metal could possibly want and nothing they don't. Also worth noting is the fact that L.O.N. has an additional project, BLAKAGIR, set aside for orchestral experimentation similar to what's heard here. Judging by this album alone, that warrants "must-buy" status as well. Be forewarned: Those who sorely miss the two aforementioned legendary bands and/or want to relive the excitement of hearing their classic albums for the first time have no fucking excuse not to hoard this one up!

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.hellveto.com

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