Let's say it's three years ago. I think this record would have blown me away. I think so because I remember Dimmu Borgir's Puritanical Diabolic Misenthermia or whatever the fuck that thing is called DID blow me away when I heard it. Yes it was full of the lamest lyrics since Cannibal Corpse, yes the clean vocalist had me rolling on the floor gutlaughing, but the music was, I thought, superb. The way they melded the guitars and the keys and the electronics mesmerized me. And Nicholas...well, forget it.

But I have heard it, and its follow up, and quite a few other records that cop a bit of that style. So Apostasy, instead of blowing my mind, are blowing...other...parts. Nah, that's harsh. It's a fine record. There really isn't anything wrong with it. It's produced heavily, it's performed well and it's written intelligently. But it's also two years past its prime. The niche market of baroque/symphonic blackish metal can only handle so many acts, I think. And Apostasy is part of the overflow.

So do I recommend it? Well, I can listen to a million death metal bands and still come away impressed. The run of the mill DM groups appeal to me and I find little quirks and ideas that other people miss - even weathered old reviewers. A DM band really has to be bland not to spark my interest. Maybe you are the same way with SymphoMetal. If you are, I am willing to bet this record will kick your ass. It has a big sound, very crushing. The guitars are LOUD, and although they don't really riff all that much, they chug with glee. The drums are live enough, and the vocals are typical black metal vocals. The keys are a little annoying. I get tired of the constant arpeggios or whatever - that swirling style of up and down scales. A little goes a long way, kid.

The songs themselves tend to overdo the bits and pieces that make them up. But it's not a big deal. It just loses my interest to hear the same passage for more than two measures, when the passage isn't really doing anything. And that's the real issue. Once the record loses your attention it never really gets it back. I start thinking about bills or grocery shopping or writing a book, the whole time tapping my fingers to Dimmu Borgir - except it's Apostasy. I had to listen to this thing quite a few times before I considered it actually "heard".

Bottom line: This is filler, in my opinion. Good filler, but not rivetting, can't stop listening filler. Now, there is a very, very good band on the record, but they need to find their OWN style and voice, because the ones they are currently using are getting them nowhere. It would be a shame if this group didn't come out with a violently passionate and vicious record next time. The pieces are in place, but this time they were simply too late.