CHAIN COLLECTOR - The Masquerade

Chain Collector's "The Masquerade" is a vicious but rather melodic at the same time platter of Norwegian black metal. Lead track "Hierarchy of Murder-Code of Silence" is an absolutely punishing song that somehow works in strong melody lines. Chain Collector mixes up the pace a bit with "Crucifixion" going between mellow and heavy throughout the song. "Fallen Angel" sprints with break-neck speed but then settles into a slower pace, but still heavy nonetheless. Gøran Bomann's guitars on this track are quite impressive. Closing track "Winter Princess" is more or less a straight-ahead heavy metal track sans the black metal leanings and is the most appealing track on the disc.