Well the name Apophis was already claimed so this German band adopted the other moniker for the “great serpent-god of chaos in ancient Egyptian mythology.” Considering the theme and the fact that they play death metal you possibly have a very good idea what this lot sound like before hearing a note. It’s probably best to get this out the way first off, any groups adopting such a style and basing their narrative on Egyptology are all likely to have certain comparisons made about them. It’s unavoidable really as they are all travelling down the same direction on the river Nile. That aside, thankfully APEP do it well and their second album has all the necessary clout to ensure burial and mummification is a certainty for them in at the very least a modest sized pyramid.

Speaking of which this leads nicely on to first track title ‘Enslaving the Putrefied Remnants of the Deceased.’ A solid drum battery is duly thudded out and the guitar riffs weave and flow around them. In fact, at times these sound like they are frolicking and they lead us on a merry dance as their twin signatures really get under the skin. Vocals are suitably gruff and hoary with that commanding an army kind of authority and presence and the whole combination of everything is quick to impress. Technical to an extent there are plenty of snaking solos and thumping rhythms on display and this quartet are obviously tight and all working off the same piece of papyrus. By second track ‘The Pillars Of Betrayal’ with some rapid skidding flourishes up and down the scales from the guitars, they have me in their grip. They also drape their craft in some suitable atmospheric set-pieces that convey the mysteries of the Ancient civilisation they have adopted at the source. This transports you back to a very bloody time and strikes that APEP have studied scriptures studiously and have a great grasp of the concept here. This is especially noticeable on midway album instrumental ‘Wanderers In The Waste’ where they nomadically take us on a tour of majestic constructs and underground labyrinths via traditional sounds incorporated into a mystical piece owing as much to world-music as anything else.

Others already mentioned are known for getting incredibly wordy with their descriptions and there is a bit of that although guaranteed not as preposterous lyrically. Singing in English there is some insight into this with the published texts of ‘Before Whom Evil Trembles (Goddess of Carnage)’ “Mighty Sekhmet, the goddess of carnage Destroys everything, blinded by rage Meant to serve but couldn’t hold it back Humanity awaits its stab.” Interspersing violent barrages with slower parts with plenty of groove the band plough on, vocals viciously following every step of the way. The album does not overstay its length and the ritualistic slaughter is a scant 37-minutes, however the last ten of these are left to the mighty concluding opus ‘Swallowed by Silent Sands.’

An album worthy of the gods themselves? Well it will certainly get them banging their heads at the very least. APEP have hit like a djinn uncorked from a bottle and whilst they may well be the under-jackals compared to others, this album is well worth checking out along with any shows off the back of it. I bet they won’t be charging almost £40 a ticket either!

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/ApepBand

https://war-anthem-records.bandcamp.com/album/before-whom-evil-trembles