Hampered in the past by poor label support and even poorer management, Necrophobic have not found much of the acclaim that their early demos 'Slow Asphyxiation' and 'Unholy Prophecies' had promised. With new record label in hand the band appear to have put their problems behind them and looked to built on the previous success of 'Bloodhyms'. Continuing with the heavier more aggressive production, 'Hrimthursum' is indeed a worthy successor the to aforementioned 'Bloodhyms' and has all the feel of a band making up for lost time.

One glimpse at the titles that adorn the back sleeve should give a preemptive warning of what carnage is about to ensue. Obviously not ones for understatement, Necrophobic appear to pride, if not revel in the brutality of their creations. 'Blinded By Light, Enlightened By Darkness', 'I Strike With Wrath' and 'Age Of Chaos' pass at supersonic speed, taking more from the likes of Slayer or Bathory than the more traditional Stockholm sound. Ramstedt and Bergebäck's guitars are brutal to the point of savage, while Sidegård vocals remain true to all Death Metal's traditions. The glory days of Swedish Death Metal may well be resigned to the pages of history, but with the likes of Dismember, Entombed and Necrophobic still producing metal to the quality of 'Hrimthursum', the future looks bright as the midnight sun.