YESTERDAY'S SAINTS is a Thrash/Melodic/Death/Power Metal band based out of Washington, DC, United States. Formed in 2008, they released their first demo in 2011, before releasing this new album in 2015. "Generation of Vipers" is a concept album, assembled in three acts like an opera. It traces the history of Satan throughout time, from his desire to usurp God's throne, to his modern infiltration of mankind, to the indication that all of Earth's inhabitants are his descendants. The opening track, "Fall of the Ancients," very aptly puts together the amalgam of different styles that the band purports in their bio. From deep, dark, heavy and technical in the verses, to clean, soaring vocals over a bed of Power Metal in the chorus, the band embraces both aggression and melody at the same time, with a forward thinking approach to the composition. The main melody line here is majestic and righteous, interconnecting with the theme of an outcast angel sent to guard the gates of hell, named Lucifer. "Origen Adamantius" picks up right where the first track left off, with might and potency, really developing the lower end of their sound. It fits well with the lyrical passages where we hear Lucifer growing in both anger and power against God, noting how easy it is to corrupt mankind. The long and melodious chorus accentuates this point, ironically complete with a church choir approach. The more technical elements in the song are very tightly played. In "The Recuitment," Satan is growing more confidant and coming up with a plan to take over the world. The dichotomy in the two vocal approaches is very much in contrast here, and the clean parts soar high with passion and unnerving intention. The first instrumental is about as perfect and beautiful of a segue to the remainder of the album as I had hoped for. Soft piano, violin and cello carry a sorrowful yet poignant moment in "A Priori," perfectly closed at the end with the remaining notes.

"Sangreale" opens the second Act of the album, with a slowly building acoustic guitar that gives way to a punchy Doom sound, drawing in a lot of emotion. Here we can hear Satan's minions slowly falling to his deceit and influence and a turning of the tides so to speak. "Cain's Agony" and "Sands of Nod" recount the story of Cain and Abel, with more of the anger and aggression of earlier tracks, and with more variation as well. Indeed, one thing the second act has brought it an entirely different sound than the first. It's a really wonderful way to tell this story through music. "Generation of Vipers" leads off the third and final act, with bombastic glory, and fierce, murky Death Metal. At this point in the story we are dealing with Cain's descendants who have unwittingly survived the 40-year flood of God. I think the line "Grey fades to black the seed of the serpent breathes" properly describes the somber mood that the music creates. I really like the ending of the song where all of the previous elements come together in a grand culmination. "The Divine Tragedy" recounts the journey and time spent in hell. The vocals take a sharp turn, aptly reminiscent of what one might hear in hell, and the music is about as brutal and agonistic as any track on the album. "Recursion" is the final track with vocals. The wondrous chorus is brought to life by a righteous lead guitar progression, as the journey of the concept album comes to close, leaving possibilities for the future. The closing instrumental is a weeping cello and violin in a reprise of the opening track. In veritable sea of Heavy Metal music out there today, you can easily get lost in trying to find something new and fresh. YESTERDAY's SAINTS have done just that with this concept album. There isn't a note missed or a stone unturned in this meticulously crafted tale. Ambitious it is, but I believe they met that mark. It is as bold and brutal as any Thrash and Death Metal, as complex and technical as anything I have heard this year as well, but maintains an accessibility that gives you a complete listening experience.<