One of the first neo-classical martial industrial releases was Kshatriya (which means warrior in the Sanskrit language) of the Italian avant-garde industrial band Ain Soph. It was released in 1988 on the Misty Circles label and is re-released this year on cd by the Hauruck division in Rome : Hauruck! SPQR. Musica Maxima Magnetica already released this work in 1994 but this was not a remastered version and it didn’t include the original artwork of the LP. Now the LP is released as CD with remastering and this is noticeable. The sound is crisp and clear.  The themes on this album are a.o. influenced by the work of Julius Evola and Aleister Crowley. ‘Decimus Gradus’ still has minimal piano play in combination with sacral vocals, but in ‘Monsalvat’ (the stronghold from the Parsifal sage where the grale is guarded) the sacral vocals and neo-classical loops are combined with industrial sounds, noise and guitar drones. In ‘I.A.O’ the ritual percussion is combined with enchanting vocals, a track with a strong ritual feel. In the titlesong martial shouts are featured. 'Stella Maris' is medieval in atmosphere. Kshatriya is an album that has been of major influence on the avant-garde industrial and neofolk movement and has consolidated Ain Soph’s name as legendary experimental ambient and industrial folk outfit. Kshatriya is a special historical document in this genre of music and therefore recommended to anyone who’s curious where the typical Cold Meat Industry sounds originate.