Potentiam hails from the land of hot springs and
Björk and has a Viking metal sound attributable to early
Enslaved sprinkled with a dash of forest metal. Opener "To Know Is to Die," is an 11-minute epic, mid-paced masterpiece with trademark chanting vocals that is worthy of the attention of any Viking metal fan. Oddly, the non-chant vocals sometimes remind one of the ghostly style Attila, from
Mayhem, used on "Freezing Moon," while the drumming is straight out of Trym's infant days with
Enslaved. The noisy distorted guitars sweep through the imaginary, wintry landscape conjured up by the bands mystical sound. Icy wind chills the spirit, as the listener hears its empty voice beckoning further exploration of this clever debut. Far from perfect,
Potentiam exhibits skills and a knack for epic arrangements that is rare among young bands. Most observable with the fiery "Sorcery," the song shifts from snare drum-fueled chaos in the middle to a thrash-inspired grove akin to
Death Angel's glory years. ~ Jason Hundey