Septic Flesh - Ophidian Wheel

The definite highlight here is the mightily Maiden-esque title track, while `Shamanic Rite` and `Phallic Litanies` are arguably the most effective examples of a metal band employing operatic vocals to date. `The Future Belongs to the Brave` also utilises female vocals and is a strong opener. Like the title track, `Razor Blades of Guilt` is firmly in `Iron Maiden-goes death metal` territory, but suffers by comparison (it`s still a decent song though).`Tartarus` is a preposterous waste of time, while the slower `Heaven Below` winds the album down and is a wise cut to end on.

The Ophidian Wheel is more fuel for my assertion that the year of 1997 was one of metal`s best. It took me well over a decade for me to check this slab of gothic DM out and while `classic` might be too strong a word for it, I can say without fear of contradiction it was worth waiting for.

7/10