Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

Opus Majestic are based in the USA, although you might not be totally convinced of that, as their lyrics are all in German this time around! Tracking back through their releases reveals an interesting history. They started out as a fantasy-based black metal band with 'Awaken In The Land Of Dreams' (demo 2003), the J R R Tolkien-based 'Temptation Of The Ring' (2003) and 'The Pain Of God' (2004). After a six year hiatus, the band have revamped with an ambient and industrial metal fusion in 'Ewiges Licht' (Eternal Light). There is still one remaining element from their black metal days, that being the screeched, cookie cutter vocals. The line-up is Ash Durrance (vocals, keys, samples and guitar) Stefan Durrance (guitars and keys) and Eric Bausch (drums and drum fx programming). The title track has slow, atmospheric riffing underpinned by keyboards and restrained drumming. Here is a translation of the lyrics, "Come and behold the suffering of Hell/Come and witness the stronghold of fear/Watch it as it crumbles and fades/Before the power of his light/Eternal light of God/Come to me/Eternal light of God/Remain eternally". The next track "Schliess deine Augen" (Close Your Eyes) continues in the same ambient style. However, "Himmelsnacht" (Heaven's Night) features crushing industrial beats "Heaven is searching for you tonight/Amongst the polished pillars of death/Heaven's night". The title track is then given an electro trance remix by Konzil which doesn't quite seem to fit in. But there is also a stunningly atmospheric remix by DRD4, which opens with a thunderstorm and doleful church bells before transforming into an ambient drum and bass masterpiece.

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