In terms of death metal, Blood Red Throne are an absolute juggernaut and I’m sure I don’t need to introduce many of you, if any of you at all, to these behemoths. I will however, very happily, introduce you to the latest offering from these crushing titans and mark my words you will not be disappointed. ‘Imperial Congregation’ is raw and barbaric, bruising and absolutely devastating. Made up of ten tracks, it obliterates and annihilates from the opening title track to the epic and masterful ‘Zarathustra’.

Opener ‘Imperial Congregation’ is depraved and unhallowed, the guttural and power vocals from ‘Bolt’ are mesmerising and battering whilst the strings from Gujic and Dod are awe inspiring. ‘Itika’ follows in much the same stance, although this one is much hookier with an undertone of groove rarely heard on any of the back catalogue from these Norwegian masters. There are complex segments to the body of ‘Itika’ and there is a strong rhythmic core, with the skins of Bolso holding court and almost become the judge and jury in terms of power and precision and the guiding light through the track.

‘Conquered Malevolence’ is fairly stripped back in terms of simplicity compared to its predecessor, although this then allows for brutality and aggression to prevail. Again, the lungs of Bolt are in fine form and power through with every word being delivered with honesty and integrity whilst keeping the power at the max. The bass lines need to be highlighted on this one, the axe sounds to be being battered into submission by Gundersen with the thicker strings being manipulated to generate a back bone of titanium proportions.

‘Transparent Existence’ is a slower track, conjuring up haunting segments and facets which allow you to reflect on the riot you are currently witnessing. It is fairly eerie in the undercurrent and this is a fresh approach to the brutal style evaporating from the majority of the rest of the album. This is a personal highlight of the album for me, still serving up a healthy slab of death metal yet in a more untraditional and abstract form.

‘Inferior Elegance’ treads back on the more energetic path and carves you open to one of the most crushing and devastating tracks on the album. This is one to get the craniums banging in the pit which will undoubtedly form in front of the band when this one gets unleashed in the live setting. A track to truly beat your fists, head, and every ounce of your soul to

‘We All Bleed’ is another catchy and groovy track, well as much as a death metal track can be. The vocals again are worthy of a mention and Bolt absolutely annihilates them yet again. This is power personified and has guitar leads which are truly beautiful and fascinating. All packaged together to create a colossal offering and one not to be overlooked.

‘6:7’ is another speedy contribution. Chilling screams from Bolt lead into power upon power guttural growls which sit on top of rhythmic strings and skin work amidst intermittent guitar punches and elegant guitar solos. The ambience and attitude on show with ‘6:7’ is daunting but easy to slip into and lose yourself to a swift four minutes plus of neck wrecking and head banging.

‘Consumed Illusion’ is yet again on the speedier side of town and does not relent from start to finish. There are definite divides within this track. There are heavier riffs and harsher pounding to the drums. Speedier facets and more melodic parts. The vocals seem to keep consistent though and offer a lesson in rage and aggression which we have admittedly previously seen, although it seems to be delivered tenfold on this one. It almost feels as though it is setting you up for an almighty end to the album, one which the band don’t want you to be forgetting in a hurry.

Penultimate track, ‘Hero Antics’, has heavy riffs and a very solid base on which it catapults you off. Again, the guttural growling of Bolt is captivating and pummelling with every word spat out with passion and pride. The six strings work in perfect unity and the thicker strings support these with one hell of an effort from start to finish

And so, we lead onto the album closer, the longest track on the album, and what a journey we have been privileged to have been a party to. ‘Zarathustra’ is packed full of heavy and pummelling melodies with the backdrop being complex and intricate amidst all the barbarism and savagery. A true warrior of a track and a perfect crescendo to an absolute beast of an album.

Yet again Blood Red Throne have delivered an absolute masterclass in aggression and power in amongst complex and rhythmic melodies. This is now album number ten in the mighty twenty-three-year existence and I truly am excited to see what the next 23 years have to offer from these Norwegians

(9/10 Phil Pountney)

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