In my opinion, Cupola is the most positive thing that has happened on the Bulgarian metal scene lately. Mostly because they have proven that things can be done in the normal way - with hard work and perseverance. Only one year ago they played their second show ever. Since then they have at least 10 more live appearances - 1-2 in every Bulgarian city that has a decent place to play at. That's how you're supposed to gather a fan-base. At the same time, the dudes have the opportunity to rehearse quite often and that reflects positively on their music and on live performances. However, if somebody isn't aware of the abovementioned facts, they'd be surprised that "Mistaken by Design" - the debut album by a death metal band whose members are in the 17-22 years of age segment - doesn't sound amateurish at all. It is actually quite good. The songs are interesting, there are different motifs in them, as well as enough parts that are memorable or repeated often enough to make the album enjoyable to listen to. Right from the instrumental opener "Utopic Prophecies Denied" they start with the nice melodies that the CD is full of. "War" and "F.S.R.E." promise to become the band's hits. I'd go with the closing track "Mind Obesity" though, because it is the most energetic on the album. The sound quality that has been achieved after the recording sessions at Blagoevgrad's Come to Sin Studio and the mix in Sofia is quite decent. It doesn't irritate the listener in any way or keep you from enjoying the music. And this is something that happens quite ofthe with the more underground releases in Bulgaria... Cupola also deserve a "thumbs up" for the album's artwork. In other words, what we have here is an album with 9 decent songs that are well played and nicely recorded by a young band that is yet to become better and bigger. And if this isn't a proof that good things can happen in the Bulgarian metal scene, I don't know what is!