Ephel Duath
Rephormula

June 2002
Released: 2002, Earache
Rating: 3.7/5
Reviewer: Cid

The first thought I had when I received this CD in the mail? No surprises. When I first popped REPHORMULA into my CD player I got exactly what I was expecting, a full-on attack of classy black metal with industrial influences and some very avant garde elements. Think about a mix between Emperor and the Kovenant for a moment… sound interesting? Well of course not! But you are greatly mistaken. Ephel Duath manage to blend elements from both their main influences (in my humble opinion) and incorporate many things of their own to create a blend of “futuristic” music that will certainly leave something in you.



Ephel Duath was originally under contract with a small European label called code666 and they released their debut album PHORMULA under their wing. Sadly enough, Code666 wasn’t really a good choice for a label since it didn’t really get the point across of what this great band really had to offer. But never fear! Anticipating their debut album with Earache records, Ephel Duath has now re-released their debut album under their new label to prepare the listener for what is to come.



In addition to their entire PHORMULA album, you’ll also get a couple of remixed songs that really have no place in the CD, but if you just ignore them and hit the little arrow button on your CD player controls (;D) you’ll be getting a very classy CD. The other (or should I say REAL) bonus this CD brings you, is Ephel Duath’s entire Demo work, OPERA. Here is the really great thing about this re-issue, OPERA is an absolutely magnificent Demo and it really works for me.



In all, I would recommend that you pick up REPHORMULA while you wait for Ephel Duath’s new and improved(?) material if you have an ear for experimental and aggressive music.