Jihad / Freezing Moon cover

Jihad / Freezing Moon

The Meads of Asphodel · 2002

35 min · 8 tracks · black metal

A raw fusion of black metal ferocity with provocative themes of conflict and existential dread.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Jihad: The Grisly Din of Killing Steel — Opening with a chaotic blend of riffs and growls, this track sets the thematic tone for the album, tackling the brutality of conflict head-on.
  • →
    Tanks in the Holy Land — This track juxtaposes heavy instrumentation with lyrical imagery that critiques modern warfare in sacred spaces, highlighting the band's political stance.
  • →
    Freezing Moon — An intense cover of Mayhem's classic, this rendition gives a fresh perspective on themes of despair and nihilism, showcasing the band’s homage to black metal roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The EP combines raw black metal with provocative themes, showcasing strong craft but limited depth for repeated listening.

What we noticed

  • The EP opens with an atmospheric intro that sets a dark tone before launching into aggressive riffs and blast beats in 'Jihad: The Grisly Din of Killing Steel'.
  • Tracks often shift abruptly between tempos, with sections of intense speed followed by slower, more melodic passages that create a sense of tension.
  • The final track, 'Freezing Moon', features a haunting melody that contrasts sharply with the preceding aggression, providing a chilling conclusion.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Intro 2:03
  • 2 Jihad: The Grisly Din of Killing Steel 6:07
  • 3 Paradise 4:14
  • 4 Another God in Another Place 4:20
  • 5 Tanks in the Holy Land 3:22
  • 6 Assassins of Allah (demo) 5:26
  • 7 Carnage 3:47
  • 8 Freezing Moon 6:16

What to play next

Exhuming the Grave of Yeshua
Listen next

Exhuming the Grave of Yeshua

2003
The Excommunication of Christ
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The Excommunication of Christ

2001
Full The Meads of Asphodel discography Artists like The Meads of Asphodel
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata