What makes The Hand and the Sword by Dominion III notable?

The album is significant for its role in defining the Austrian black metal scene of the early 2000s, capturing a blend of melodic elements with traditional black metal aesthetics. It received several positive reviews from niche metal publications, which helped garner attention for the band in an increasingly competitive genre. Released in 2000, 'The Hand and the Sword' marked Dominion III's debut album, establishing their presence in the black metal scene. At this point, the band was still relatively unknown but sought to carve out a distinct identity with their complex compositions and evocative themes.