Long before Wormrot became flagbearers for Singaporean extremity there was another warlord spearheading the campaign. Shyaithan and Impiety should need not introduction and that commanding grizzled warrior is an imposing force in both music and stature. Devouror formed back in 2018 are another project with him in the ranks along with other veterans of acts such as Bloodlust, Depravity, Deus Ex Machina and Battlestorm. They released debut EP Slay For Satan shortly after and now, conceived throughout thee plague, we have debut album Diabolos Brigade.

You probably know exactly what to expect here, a deathly black brew in salutation to the old gods such as Sarcofago, Blasphemy, Death, Sodom & Angelcorpse. Indeed, we get an interesting cover at both opening and closure, the first stirring and sombre classical music with musket fire courtesy of Handel (Sarabande), the second ‘Death Metal’; classic from Possessed. You can’t get more old-school than that. In between though is what counts and here the five players scourge away with fiery, chaotic and naturally blasphemous sonic devastation without any hint of mercy. Forging the ‘Oath Of The Devil’s Cross’ drums roll and its full speed ahead. There’s no shortage of squealing guitars and pounding head-banging action as things roll over and decimate all in their path. The vocals from Hades are gruff and hoary, low in tone but fairly high in the mix. You can make out what he is saying to a certain extent and that is particularly effective at points as he growls out words like “curse” and “crush” rolling off tongue and leaving in no doubt about intentions.

Musically it’s more death than black with plenty of churning thrashy parts and although not quite as hostile as war metal, it comes pretty close. The rapid-fire vocals spat out on the excellently entitled ‘Vulgar Necrodeath’ boost the speed giving the drummer a job to keep up and of course there’s bound to be the odd flaying lead littering the battlefield amidst the corpses. There is a slow crushing groove inserted into the mass that is ‘Wrath Angel’ so it’s not quite all delivered at full pelt and the players prove they can show constraint. It’s downright impossible to turn down a bit of ‘Twilight Nunbutchery,’ complete with a vitriolic backing vocal clamour at the hideous act. Perhaps causing offence at such trespasses there is some femininity evoked and deliverance on said perpetrators in the form of ‘Mantra Kali Kunt’ I love a good song about the Hindu mother goddess of war and this one really sticks out with its female choral parts, catchy chorus and rolling drums.

With photos showing the band playing live with an array of spikes, gasmasks and even a horned and diabolic Baphomet styled head mask as they devastated Malaysia one can but hope they make the trip further afield. Impiety have blessed UK shores several times and on the strength of this 35-minute act of ‘Bestial Deathcult Warfare’ Devouror have certainly made a forceful impact. This one’s guaranteed to take you straight down, all the way to hell!

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/Devouror666