Prepare yourself to experience one of the most brutal, intense, and mind-bending metal experiences you’ll ever hear. This band delivers an extraordinary blend of death metal, black metal, and symphonic elements that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. Imagine if Slaughter to Prevail, Lord of Shore, and the epic grandeur of the Lord of the Rings soundtrack somehow collided and birthed an unholy creation—this is that creation. It’s a ferocious sonic assault that will have you grimacing and grinning in disbelief at the sheer power of it all.
The sheer intensity and speed of their playing make it almost impossible to believe that this is being performed by humans. The technicality is off the charts, with blisteringly fast drum fills that seem to defy the laws of physics. At times, the music is so fast and intricate that your brain struggles to keep up, creating a feeling of awe and confusion as you listen. It’s not just fast; it’s inhumanly fast, almost as if the band is channeling a level of aggression that transcends human capability. The drumming is especially insane, delivering an almost machine-like precision that makes you question whether the drummers are even mortal.
The grand symphonic moments in the music are equally jaw-dropping, with epic orchestral elements that elevate the sound to almost cinematic proportions. These moments are so powerful and over-the-top that they sometimes feel as though they might overshadow the music’s more organic elements. While the production is polished to perfection, there are times when the grandiosity of these symphonic sections can detract from the raw energy and intensity of the performance. That being said, they manage to strike a balance by infusing some excellent grooves with their overwhelming heaviness, allowing the songs to breathe and create dynamic shifts throughout the experience.
There are also moments of surprising color in the music—almost like an anime soundtrack playing in the background. These passages add an unexpected depth and vibrancy to the songs, providing a unique contrast to the otherwise dark and aggressive tones of the album. These moments bring an unexpected flair that helps to break up the intensity and adds another layer to the music, making it even more captivating.
As for the vocals, they come straight from the deepest pits of hell. The growls and shrieks are so guttural and raw, you can almost feel the heat from the depths of the underworld as they rip through the speakers. It’s a vocal performance that feels entirely authentic to the intense nature of the music. The vocalist is fully committed to delivering some of the most intense vocal work you’ve ever heard, and it absolutely complements the chaos created by the band’s relentless instrumentation.
This mini-epic album delivers on the goal of creating some of the heaviest and fastest music you’ve ever heard. It’s a mind-blowing collection of tracks that pushes the boundaries of metal while still managing to maintain a level of musicality that ensures it's more than just a noise fest. It’s an exhilarating ride that will leave you with your face contorted in disbelief, questioning how such ferocity can come from human beings. The band truly succeeds in their mission to create a sonic assault that is as intense and mind-melting as it is symphonically grand. This is metal at its most extreme, and it’s clear that these musicians are hell-bent on proving their place at the top of the extreme music scene.
RATING: 9/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Death Empress
Winter