Deranged and agonising murmurs flood the ‘Intro’ before the album takes off with ‘Heavens Ablaze’. A full-on assault of raw and technical black metal. The screams and roars from Lord Angelslayer are demonical and possessed and the speed which emanates from the track is outstanding and blinding in equal measures. The track is relentless and doesn’t offer a moment’s respite which is trademark Archgoat, and one which makes them one of the frontrunners in satanic and dirty black metal.

‘Black Womb Gnosis’ is another which puts its foot to the floor and doesn’t let off until the closing bars. Distant cries and screams can be heard punctuating the background amidst all the chaos and commotion. As much as the track is ferocious and full on, there is a sense of measurement and intricacy, none more so than when the six strings are let loose mid track to entertain us with a sublime guitar solo, one which fits eloquently into the proceedings.

Everything is slowed down slightly for ‘All Christianity Ends’ and the vocals take on a more subdued and plodding appearance. These intertwine with the chugging guitars and drums with perfect sense. Bells toll at precise moments to add an air of mystery to the track and the guitars seem to lead on this track more so than they have attempted to before. The track continues its slow and methodical pace throughout and this even conjures up more melody than is normally within Archgoat’s arsenal.

Back on track with ‘In Extremis Nazarene’ and the speed is kicked up tenfold. The drums create a blur of kick beats and bicep launched rapid tempos. The vocals seem more passionate, and they are delivered with true dedication and belief, and then not long into the track before we are hit with a sizzling and enigmatic guitar solo, boom, that’s one to make you sit up and take note. The track mixes and mingles with varying degrees of tempos and brutality, full on power and muscle, each sitting side by side with intricate and delicate raw melodies.

Squealing rats and an inaudible vocal piece opens up ‘Rats Pray God’ before the axe work takes up a supersonic pace, and specific drum work from Goat Aggressor is introduced to the track. The drums are more refined and calculated which then allows the fretboard of Ritual Butcherer work its magic. This is an extreme track, even compared to its albums siblings and it passes in a blur, more time could have been credited to the track, but this would possibly take away from some of the ferocity and brutality.

‘Empyrean Armageddon’ carves you open with crackling flames and some more unrecognisable speech before storms can be heard crashing in the background. The track then dissects you with power and precision. The vocals are deeper and plodding with the drums being dominant from the start. Agonised and petrified screams again take up resident in the background and this adds a flair of menace to the track with the bells tolling again in the distant soundscape. This is a personal highlight on the album for me and the subtle variety on the track makes it a definite stand out.

Double header of ‘Blessed In The Light Of Lucifer’ and ‘Worship The Eternal Darkness’ lead us towards the closing of the album and both sit together, rare differences between the make up of the two make them appear as together and coinhabiting as Siamese twins are. Both tracks have frenetic libraries of riffs and the skin work from the drums is epic and inspired of uber magnitude.

Then we move onto album closer, ‘Burial Of Creation’. This one has it all bar the speed. The pace is tuned down to create a majestic power which adds to the foreboding and presence it commands. There are keys on this one which create a haunting and charming segment, sitting on top of wind and rain, which wouldn’t go amiss in an Abbey or Cathedral setting. The track merges into the album with perfect ease, although if you weren’t to know, you could stake your claim on the track belonging to a different beast altogether. The bells toll again on this track, and this again adds to the mystery and suspense created throughout.

Another fine offering from the Finnish black metal overlords and one not to be missed if you have even a passing interest in the genre. One word of warning though, strap yourself in, it’s a fight of colossal and gladiatorial proportions.

(9/10 Phil Pountney)

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