This album is De Profundis’ sixth in their 17-year existence and is both melodic and aggressive in equal measure. The London based quintet have been honing their skills for quite some time, and I thoroughly enjoyed what they have delivered here.

The album opens with a drum salvo which is quickly joined by the guitars, then vocals to bring “Ritual Cannibalism” to life, before the vivacious song ends with a lively lead break.

Shoi Sen and Paul Nazarkardeh’s intricate guitar work on “Sectarian Warfare” shows how well they play off each other as the intertwined riffs merge seamlessly, but it’s Steve Woodcock’s bass work that is truly breath-taking as the popping rumble keeps drawing my attention.

Feeling much milder with an almost jazzy flourish, “Relentless March” soon steps up the tempo as Craig Land lets out a long low roar when Tom Atherton kicks into gear and gives the snare a pounding to keep pace with his feet.

The second guitar playing a beautiful melody softens the blow of the ultra-angry main riff on “Weaponised Rape”, which also has a rather hauntingly, even if manically, played lead only matched by the constant bass runs.

Craig’s low drawn out growls on “Embrace Dystopia” are just another key feature, to match the rapidly played riffs, leads and constantly rolling drum fills and tempo changes that make the song an interesting listen.

“Desecrating Innocence” opens with a guitar riff that sounds far too happy for the subject matter at hand, but as soon as the vocals join in and the chugging guitars slow down to add a heaviness that “Religious Cancer” has in spades regardless of the speed it’s being played at.

and speaking of speed, “Scapegoat” is blisteringly fast, with the vocals spat out over the intense guitar, but it’s when it tempers the pace for the lead break and the bass solo that it stands out even more.

The album ends with “The Sword Verses” which is filled with little guitar notes the standout from the main rhythm and drum cadence which rushes the vocals along too.

Another thing that makes the album worth repeated listens is the amount of detail that keeps coming to the fore on the next pass.

(8/10 Marco Gaminara)

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