There seems to be a huge amount of new blood within the extreme metal scene and here are yet another bunch of upstarts plying a debut album after forming very recently. Perhaps it’s a pandemic thing. As far as Altars Ablaze are concerned though the players do not come without pedigree with the 5 members having served time in various Czechia outfits such as Heaving Earth, Supreme Conception and even a live drummer who has blasted on stage for Cult Of Fire. Here we have some fiery blackened death that is said to be of appeal for those who worship at the altar of bands such as Angelcorpse and 1349 so without further ado let’s plunge into this slab of deathly defilement.
‘For The Lifeless Love Of A Crucified Corpse’ is certainly an eyebrow raising track title and with it the band launch into full-blooded, chaotic decimation showing that they are unlikely to give any quarter for the duration. The drums are rigorous and pummel away hell for leather, guitars churn and slice and the speed is unrelenting. Vocals roar and rasp over the top formidably but there is also some gnarly atmosphere grimly residing to pick the bones of flesh within the hurtling maelstrom. In fact, as we reach the title track a slow malevolence intrudes which is creepy in its stalking melodies, the vocals snarling over the top with grizzly intent. You can groove on the guitar lines here as they shimmer and shake but it’s not long before the speed is back to full molten fury and tearing away again. From here on that is pretty much the modus-operandi here and the band seem to prefer playing in an unfettered and vicious style with the rest of the eight tracks flying off the handle in a precise but deadly blur.
Death, blood, wrath and destruction are what it is largely about now, dished out with conviction and virulency. There’s some great flaying leads and a bit of barbed technical thrust along the way. It’s death the old and brutal way without modern trappings and although it slams you into dust don’t go expecting beatdowns and pig squeals just barbed-wire savagery and strangulating riffs which will appeal to fans of acts like Morbid Angel, Incantation and indeed the aforementioned Angelcorpse. With this in mind and perhaps splitting hairs I would look upon this as more death metal in construction although perhaps not in intent due to the blasphemous stance and song titles, ‘With Bone Crowns and Iron Scepters’ being another graphic example foretelling the barbarity within.
There are no winners here, unless as we are told, it is the rodents with the passing closure that is ‘Glorification of Rats,’ everything else is decimated, no flesh has been spared. Altars Ablaze have delivered a solid opening statement and one that’s a particularly hostile half-hour of extremity.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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