From the depths of Berlin’s metal underground scene, an esoteric force emerges, a force that to be reckoned with. Within the heart of Germany, taking shape and evolving within the aggression and loud blaring low tuned guitars comes the group known as MAAT.  From their beginning, they have blended influences from insight and conceptualizations of ancient wisdom and melded them within the world of Death Metal. Having formed back in the year of 2009, the band has already brought forth two full-lengths and an EP. MAAT is far from over as they take their concepts of Death inwards with their latest album.

Now under the banner of F.D.A Records MAAT has once again summoned from the depths something new. An album based around the workings of existential reflection. The process of thought and how one relates within time and space itself. The eternal cycle is conceptualized within their latest full-length album “From Origin to Decay”. Released on November 22nd, 2024, this album offers eleven tracks that take you through a journey of existential realizations that are displayed through a dynamic soundscape of Technical Brutal Death Metal for 49:14 minutes. From what I previously heard from these guys, I am truly excited to hear what their latest album has to offer.

With shades of a saturated sepia that create a powerful distressed image.The band logo sits bold in black top center, while the album name sits bottom center but with a more artistic approach. Two large stone walls stretch upwards with a stone sphere resting center between them. Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom and magic is engraved upon the face of the left, while the right engraved is a great snake. The snake being a symbol of royal divinity and protection within the ancient Egyptian beliefs. That could only mean that the sphere here, the celestial sphere or the great abyss that rests between both time and space. Based on the concepts that have been conceptualized, I believe this is a very fitting image. I am even more intrigued by this album, but I digress. Let’s dive into this brutal esoterica shall we.

“Swath of Destruction” begins heavy in what sounds like the use of Phrygian scales as the lead rips in. The heavy onslaught of drums blasts you as the vocals pick up in a brutal tone. The torrent formed from the lead that carries the pace is a wonderful touch. The overall execution of this track is heavy and disgusting in all the right ways. Again with those scales that build into a shotgun blast of intensity with “Ov Water and Gods” Following up with such technical brutality. Those chord progressions that build and are layered with the bass and drums are just amazing.

As you play through the album you may hear what sounds like the influence from NILE, however, this is MAAT’s use of the Phrygian Scales on lead. It adds a form of technical flair to their chord progressions that gets layered in brutal aggression. But it's so much more than their use of an amazing scale, it's how they use them. The signatures, timing and overall chord progressions that blend in with the layers of bass and drums. Also Baal does a fantastic job of coating everything with caustic beastial vocals as he portrays their concepts within. The levels are also on par as well, the mixes all sit beautifully. Each track has a unique fingerprint and holds meaning that is conceptualized and expressed with precision. MAAT, almost crosses into a bit of Blackened Death with how Baal’s vocals sit. 

“Perennial Bliss” wastes no time as it kicks off with an intense brutality. Being the main song the album was centered around, it shows. Just listen, hear the aggression and let the chord progressions take you deeper into the mindset behind this album. Lyrically, this was well portrayed. The slow melodic breakdown as well helps build the depth and further drives the track's concept home.

Each track is diverse and loaded with brutal technicalities. Well written and performed with precision as they portray the overall theme of this album. Rooted in esoterica and coated in technical brutal Death, “From Origin to Decay” is an amazing album that you need in your library. If you haven't already heard of MAAT, now you have. You're welcome, now go get a copy and crank it.