Reviewed by James Stafford

This is a great slab of Scandinavian heaviness. Black metal fans take note - these guys are a quality band. The music is dramatic and intense. Their use of keyboards give them a distinctive sound and this really works well - a real soundscape with a gothic/classical element. In a few places the overall heaviness clouds hearing the guitar work as clearly as I would like, but this is a well produced album. The lyrics also hold this album up. They are verging on the poetic and yet still explicitly Christian, thoughtful and passionate. (One song seems to give the impression that the Spirit is created rather than eternal - obviously not intentional.) I like the emphasis on holiness in the title track and in "The Dark Desires", and the recurring themes of God as the Emperor over his Empire, and the faithful trust in God that whatever our circumstances, dawn will always follow the darkest night. In my mind Sanctifica have carved a niche somewhere between Antestor and Extol, and they fill it admirably.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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