If you liked the Endless Infernum demo, then you'll most definitely like the debut Threnody of the Crucifix as Crucifix remains loyal to what they showed on the demo. The music is hateful and anti-religious death metal. It may sound rather cliché and in many ways it is. But somehow Crucifix is able to make it appear somewhat fresh. The style is a blend of old school Swedish death metal and brutal American death metal. The Danes mix these two variations of the genre very well and it makes them a bit different from the vast majority of bands.

The song-writing is convincing. It's obvious that Crucifix can create music that has both the drive and substance for it to stay exciting. Also there is a subtle balance between the slow and fast in the music. Crucifix never tends to overdo one or the other. The music is played tight and competent, and there are no unpleasant detours during the album. The band has reused all the songs from their latest two demos, but the music doesn't feel outdated. It's like the rerecording has only made them feel that more fresh and contemporary.

The band briefly flirts with black metal riffs and vocals now and then, but it's most noticeable on the closer "Behind the Veil of Illusion". I usually dislike this, but Crucifix is able to make it an asset rather than a weakness. The production is dry and dirty, and it fit the music alright, but now and then a few of the details seem to vanish beneath the drums and vocals. This is most likely due to the mix, but apart from this tiny issue Threnody of the Crucifix is a very convincing debut that should have no problem appeal to fans of both Scandinavian and American death metal.