Sometimes the best albums are those that really defy conventions and offer something brand new, unheard of, and downright genius. At other times though, the most exciting releases are ones that proudly wear their influences on their sleeve and blend them together to create something that will appeal to fans of those bands without copying them. With "Hellish Expectations," Midnight takes the best from Venom, Motorhead, Discharge, and Possessed and creates something absolutely exhilarating. Now that I've given away my initial impressions, let me explain further.

Beginning with "Expect Total Hell," Midnight taps into the spirit that made the previously mentioned bands so revolutionary. The music is vicious and dark, but it's a hell of a lot of fun. The chorus to the opening number will stick with you, as will most of the choruses on the record, in part because they're simple and also because you can imagine just how well it works live. "Gash Scrape" ramps up the speed with a greater d-beat influence, before "Masked And Deadly" goes for a more refined approach to songwriting, focusing more on the vibe of the track rather than the chaos.

It doesn't happen often, but the album pretty much gets better and better as it goes along. "Slave Of The Blade" is pure rock and roll with plenty of grit and grime and marks the point where "Hellish Expectations" goes from very good, to fucking awesome. This continues with "Dungeon Lust," which is quite reminiscent of the Hellhammer classic, "Messiah," but again, without being a carbon copy. The sonic violence continues, culminating in the album's first single, "F.O.A.L.," which as you may have worked out, stands for "Fuck Off And Live." It makes for a perfect end to this abrasive musical onslaught that turns up, wrecks the place, and leaves just as quickly, like the Beastie Boys with bandoliers.

What makes "Hellish Expectations" so good is that it knows what to do at all times. It doesn't rely on one trick like a generic thrash album and it doesn't just settle for mood like a standard black metal release. It also doesn't outstay its welcome, being a relatively short record that makes perfect use of time by getting the point across succinctly and passionately. It sounds fresh, while also tapping into a certain time. The album would be the perfect soundtrack to a night of hard drinking, slasher movies, and kinky sex. It's bloody filthy and I love it!

Midnight has been around for twenty years now but the potential for the project to become bigger just grows more and more. Consistent high-quality work, with "Hellish Expectations" perhaps being the best yet will continue to ensnare new fans while delighting those who have stuck by Athenar for a long time. with this, the sixth full-length album, Midnight will more than likely reach a higher level of acclaim, opportunities, and success. And thoroughly well deserved too!