Although Impalement’s debut ‘The Impalement’ wasn’t spawned until 2020, the origins of the band date back much further to 2010 when Beliath first began composing music. In the following ten years he toured relentlessly with other bands developing his expertise and carving his niche. This led to the well-received debut, which was followed by widespread tours over Europe including high profile shows with Marduk, Vader, Belphegor and Batushka as well as appearing at festivals, where Impalement began to build a solid fan base and a growing reputation.

All of this has led to the sophomore album ‘The Dawn Of Blackened Death’ which carries on the evolution where ‘The Impalement’ left off with its unrelenting blackened death metal onslaught. Perhaps a little more refined than the debut, this is still everything you’d expect from a quality blackened death metal outfit with blast beats, chugging riffs, shredding guitars and harsh, growled vocals. However, whereas some bands in this genre can feel like a runaway train in danger of tipping over into aural chaos, this feels more controlled leading to a more sinister, malevolent atmosphere.

No time is wasted with fancy intros, as the album begins aggressively with ‘The Herd Marches On’ and its explosive opening before settling down into its malignant rhythms. ‘Dawn Of Blackened Death’ keeps momentum going before ‘Legio Nihil’ which has recently been released as the second single from the album. Amidst the war inspired vitriol the melodies really come to the fore here before the track comes to an abrupt end with the screaming sound of an aircraft and an explosion. This is going to sound immense live!

The tracks rumble past and are almost hypnotic in their effect, before the album is brought to a close with the epic, nine-minute ‘Chosen by Tragedy’. After a maleficent, brooding introduction this launches back into the more familiar controlled vitriol closing the album in superb style.

Impalement will be back in the UK in a couple of weeks with Gorgoroth and Aeturnus for what should be one of the gigs of the year. See you down the front!

(7.5/10 Andy Pountney)

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https://impalementofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-dawn-of-blackened-death