As all to often happens when a band hit pay dirt and find they have a career defining album on their hands. They spend the remainder of that career trying desperately to recreate that winning formula once more. More often that not in the full glare of expectant fans and an overly demanding legion of press, who half want and half expect them to fail. With the release of "Angelgrinder" it would have been oh so easy for Lord Belial to be resigned to the annals of those best remembered for one great release. Instead the Belial boys brought us "The Seal Of Belial" and "Nocturnal Beast" as proof this was no one hit wonder.

Album number seven is based upon firm and familiar ground; a sound formulated and honed tighter than a flies arse is the foundation. While "Revelation" has a mix of thrash riffs, enough blast beats for the purists, it is not OTT and it is perhaps Lord Belial's ability to mix it up that demands your attention. This is not your usual million miles an hour dose of Black Metal, choosing atmosphere and mood to drive home their point rather than pure aimless speed. The slower tempo songs serve as a reminder that Black Metal need not be able mindless aggression, but rather about the message.

"7th Seal" leads the charge for a full on assault and while lacking the real classic stand out tracks of "Angelgrinder", "Revelation" is by no means mediocre addition to the Lord Belial catalogue; putting many who claim to be Black Metal to shame. With a crisp and clean production "Revelation" manages to avoid the muddy, almost distant sound many aspire to create. The result being Lord Belial have created a niche for themselves stylistically in what is an overcrowded market. If old school demonic Black Metal, straight out of the Emperor book of how to do it is your thing, then look no further and rejoice.