The moment you look at the rather disturbing but eye catching cover art alongside the bands fantastic logo you know you’re in for a sinister listen. With only one demo out previously this debut, from the German newcomers, hits the ground at a proverbial gallop. Opening with “All Became Nothing” the album begins with disconcerting background noises coming from all distorted directions. A demonic whisper is heard that yields to a scream and the opening riff which is beastly. The production is raucous, possessing a hardened nihilism as the snare rains down blows along with the juggernaut double kick salvos. Vocally this sits in the black thrash style with throat abrading emanations erupting from the guy’s throat; barely human in places the animalistic delivery is pernicious as “Blasphemous Supremacy” continues the albums unequivocal battering.
The guitar sound is punishing, possessing a grating tone that aids in the albums overall malfeasance as
“Retaliation” is very thrashy, with the vomitous vocals continue to splurge the listener in the sonic phlegm. “Solitudinem” offers some respite acting as an interlude preceding “Into Nihil” as the song begins far slower with a sluggish double kick and sporadic blast incursions. As expected the song morphs into something more terrifying when the inhuman blasting makes its ghoulish appearance. First personal favourite is “Necromantic Ways” which has a gnarly thrash like riff with cymbal smashes signalling the increase in pace with the catchy double bass roll. As the tune mutates the riff is laid bare right before returning to the bass drums and the impending blast which you know is coming. The sonic warfare that unfolds is continuous, unabating and sheer bedlam as macabre groans filter into the song almost unnoticed.
The band’s music is classed as black or death metal which I agree with up to a point, but mostly this is war like black metal favoured by bands like Weregoat, Necroholocaust, Nekfofilth, Archgoat to name a few similar acts. The tacky church like organ beginning to “The Hunt, The Instinct” works for me, as the keyboard sound develops into a retro 70s occult rock vibe that leads the song into a doom-laden riff and much slower pace. The ethos is devastatingly intense as a sudden blast materialises only to diffuse away in rabid insanity. The track is unique on the album, possessing a stark depravity on the vocals and with slower ghastly riffing amongst the blasting insanity. Second favourite is “Enter The Temple” which has a bone brittling rawness and steady tempo that sees the song escalate in intensity yet still managing to be dissonantly catchy which I know is an oxymoron as this album really is the antithesis of musicality in places. Closing the album is the longer “Under Death’s Shadow”, clocking seven minutes, the song begins mildly with a crust like riff before stepping on the gas to let the blast announce itself like a cantankerous younger sibling craving attention. Predominantly instrumental styled the song flows from one part to the next fluidly, gluing each aspect with riffing abominations that eventually lead to the song dropping away to unfurl some spoken words that have an apparitional aura made more so by the clean vocal chanting that works brilliantly within the finale of the song.
Ferocious, heinous and monstrously infective this debut is a ten song countdown to your own extermination.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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