It’s common to say that after the end of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in the late years of the 80s, all those countries experienced the shift between a strong control imposed by state to a state of freedom, because the label ‘communism’ was used to justify strong dictatorships (remembering: dictatorships aren’t left or right, just dictatorships with the same elements, no matter what one could say). As a consequence of the end of state control, the oppressive censorship behind the wall of Berlin was over, and many Metal scenes (that were clandestine at that time) started to evolve, and Poland is one of those countries that started to reveal very good names, as VADER, HATE, BEHEMOTH and others.

Following the ways on extreme Metal tendencies is TEMPLE OF DECAY, here with its second full-length, “Anti Deus” (that can be translated as ‘anti god’). All the sound production (recording, mixing and mastering) were done at Terror Studio, and the result is a brutal and oppressive sonority, fusing features of Black Metal and Death Metal sonorities alike, with a very good result: even being harsh and boosting the band’s musical aggressiveness, one can understand clearly what’s being played. And the artwork, for those into dark lyrical themes, is a delight (it’s a very good work of Mentalporn).

Musically, this one-man band (based on Mortt’s musical efforts) is focused on a mix between Black Metal and Death Metal influences, and such formula isn’t strange for those that know the Poland extreme Metal scene. B-U-T don’t get the wrong idea: Mortt musical ideas are extremely different from the usual, with some Hardcore traces in some moments, some Melodic Death Metal subjective influences (both elements heard on “Apokaliptyczna Furia”), traces of Death/Thrash Metal in other moments, and more. It’s furious, insane and brutal, but with a care in the instrumental arrangements and energy that’s amazing to hear.

“Strach i Sumienie (Stosy)” (wow, some very good rhythmic shifts and furious blast beats can be heard, what means that bass guitar and drums parts are working in a high level of quality), “Diabolical Summoning (Sztandary buntu)” (some slow parts shows how the musical ideas on the songs are really great, and here some guitar riffs are truly amazing), “Apokaliptyczna Furia” (the contrasts between Black/Death Metal embodiment with Hardcore traces and Melodic Death Metal influences is excellent), “Afirmacja Śmierci” (the shifts between fast and slow parts is excellent, with very good vocals in extremely personal harsh tunes that aren’t the usual shrieks or growls), “Klecha”, and “Phallus Dei (Idzie wojna)” are songs that shows that Poland still have some very good names to offer to the world. Again: the formula here is used on a personal way that astonishes the listeners!

“Anti Deus” is an excellent release, and Metalheads that deal with TEMPLE OF DECAY’s music will surely be surprised!