Metal Underground.com

After beholding the cover art for "Intre Doua Lumi," I fully expected a richly opaque musical experience from the Timisoara, Romanian five-piece Syn Ze Sase Tri. Together since 2007, they configure their music to darkly themed Transylvanian tales of bloodlust and folklore. They finally made time to release this epic of their own after helping countrymen Negura Bunget with touring duties after the departure of two members.

The result is nothing short of impressive. Beginning with the densely layered instrumental "Profetie" - replete with howling wolves and hoarsely-whispered vocals - this album evokes a darkly symphonic mood that reeks of sophistication. Many concept albums fail to convey a theme, but from the get-go, Syn Ze Sase Tri nail the feel of a dark sylvestrine tale with this record.

"Ziua Din Urma" is a blueprint for how black metal with symphonic flourishes should be written. The surfeit of different instruments are arranged with tight precision into a song that is both heavy and interesting. "Spirit Etern" shows speed with technique, blending the stains of organ to the guitars. The chanting in "Fauritorul Lumii" gives way to a more controlled beat and a feel as dark as the countryside inspiring it.

"Intre Doua Lumi" is orchestral in style, showing plenty of classical prowess from the band members. The songs are all refreshingly different and well written, transporting the listener to another level. "Gind Blestemat" incorporates distant bells and a beat as thick as visceral fog, building into a crescendo. The use of violins in "A Veitii Roata" is complemented with guitars and disturbingly sick vocals, while "Maretia Intruparii" utilizes piano and cymbals in a sublimely ethereal instrumental.

In fact, there's not a bad track on the album. The faster numbers have fluid movement and the instrumentals are insidious and creepy. A few of the songs are epic in length, coming in at the ten minute mark, but my attention did not wane. These longer songs are arranged nicely, like a vignette with walls of sound coming at you from different directions.

The release concludes with "Ruga" - an instrumental of sorts, wrapping up a story of many movements. Syn Ze Sase Tri are seriously good. They write songs that are well thought out and have the musicianship to craft pieces that are all redolent with individuality. If I had a point of contention, it would be that the super basic production eclipses the clarity of the music at times. That aside, "Intre Doua Lumi" is definitely an album to behold.