From their EPK, “Dedicated to the pagan death metal cult of ALZHAGOTH, the band’s members abandoned their former lives and bands in 2019 to fully devote themselves to channeling the messages of the primordial being they follow. United by inspiration drawn from flesh and blood, they raise their goblets each night in honor of the god Alzhagoth. Combining melodic rhythms with arpeggios and harmonization, they create a sound that’s both powerful and crushing, skillfully enhanced by symphonic elements. Based in Padova, they deliver a unique blend of pagan death metal that’s fierce and immersive.”

The album has eight songs, and “Sermons of the Blind” is first. It has an interesting sound that it a bit unusual when it comes to Death Metal…there is melody present in the madness, and that makes the song a bit easier to hear. There are also symphonic elements to augment the aggressive ones. “Herald of Chaos” is next, and it’s another boot-stomping ball of energy that is filled to the brim. The guitar work is very neat, intricate, and demonstrative, and the band shows strong musicianship in how tight everything connects. “Grievous Diorama” has a slower and more powerful sound, at first, but when it picks up, the guttural vocals help to fuel its killing spree. The chorus is rich with keyboards and the song is fierce.

“Sacrifice” is another burner, and one thing that the band is not short on is pure, unbridled energy. It flows from the guitar strings to the tips of the drumsticks. “Resurrection of the Fallen” pushes the envelope even further and the reach of their hands into the sky. The short instrumental passage showcases more of the band’s air tight musicianship and their ability to stop and turn on a dime. “Ultramonsters” is like a new breed of creature that is faster, with sharper claws and teeth, and kills at will without a conscience. The level of death is equal only to the level of intricacy. “Ancient Blood” is a song that pushes melody as much as aggression, and the band balances these two things well.

“Usque Ad Finem” closes the album, and they light the fuse, stand back, and watch it explode into thousands of pieces. The mid section has some nice somber tones that provide contrast, and then it’s back to the fire. This was an excellent album. As I mentioned, the band’s season sense of songwriting came through as strong as their musicianship. The songs are brutal, fast, and aggressive, but also tempered with melody and even symphonic elements.