Of the many subgenres of metal, in my case specifically Death Metal, one of the ones I love most is without a doubt Symphonic Death metal. In a genre of music with more subgenres than one can count with a constantly evolving sound, Symphonic Death Metal expands on the unpredictable and uncountable sound of metal with every Symphonic Death Metal band having a unique sound inspired by their country or region of origin. The Greek influenced SEPTICFLESH, the traditional orchestral sounds of the Italian FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, and today we get to hear the Turkish influence on KHEPRA. Having released an EP in 2012 under the original moniker GÜRZ, and then changing to the name KHEPRA, they have now released their first full length album COSMOLOGY DIVINE (based upon the Sumerian deities), a release that, for being a first full length release, is extremely well made and has an incredible sound. Without further ado, I'll just jump straight into it.

Opening with "Atra Hasis", while many Symphonic bands can be a sucker to a slow and gradual but operatic opening, they opt against this. Featuring some great riffs, well-orchestrated very strong orchestral aspects, and a very solid drum beat, this song does very well in establishing an opening to the album. My favorite part of the song, though it may not play an extremely prevalent role, would have to be presume is an oud. The way it was used in the song is very well done, and this is more personal but I quite love the fact it was used. I am of the mind that it is better to embrace creativity than to emulate success. In regards to the song as a whole though, amazing riffs, well-orchestrated, and generally well structured, a great song off the album. To contrast this song is "Desolation", the shortest song on the album barring "Into the Cosmic Disharmony" and "Through the Cosmic Web of Voids", the two instrumental pieces on the album. Featuring much slower and orchestral oriented choruses and a bridge and outro that do very well to catch your attention with its orchestral aspects, I personally quite enjoy the song because of it's showcasing of the symphonic elements of the band.

The next song on the album is "We Are Descending", a song that, if KHEPRA takes inspiration from other Symphonic Death Metal bands, sounds as if it was inspired by SEPTICFLESH (as well as the opening of the next song but I won't delve into that). This is not a bad thing I will point out, as I truly mean inspired in this case and not copied. This lies more in the structure for me, and maybe some of the riffs near the earlier parts of the song, but the song itself is wholly unique and one of my favorite songs on the album. The blend of metal and orchestra is very well done, the song has some amazing riffs, and the progression between rapid and gradual transitions smoothly. This is all not to mention the very well situated fade out ending. As I said before, one of the songs I think more highly of on the album.

However, the very next song on the album also does well to compete for one of my favorites on the album, "Obsessions of the Mad". Featuring a somewhat more dissonant sound, however also featuring an amazing and sombering operatic voice and chanting choir to help add to an ethereal sound to embody the divine nature of the lyrical content, this song really drives it home for me. Blending the more Symphonic vocals too, and the general sound of the song doing amazingly to capture the lyrical theme that is more haunting and perhaps more nihilistic pertaining to Sumerian deities, this song is one I very highly suggest to all who listen to the album. I will give a quick mention to "Into the Cosmic Disharmony", as it is an interesting piece on the album. It features a much more electronic sound and overtly sci-fi theme compared to the other songs, which in some cases had direct references to Sumerian deities and at best seemed to allude to a more sci-fi multi-dimensional concept. It isn't bad per se, but is just seemingly abrupt and out of place in its placement. As well as a voice over that helps to allude to a less supernatural and more cosmically themed album.

The namesake of the album, "Cosmology Divine", is the same way lyrically. It exudes a sense that gods are not divine but are astronomical, but of course musically it is also easily a top three on the album. A phenomenal blend of guitar and bass riffs, drums, and orchestral aspects, wrapped in brilliant song structure and a blend of clean male choir-esque vocals and great gutturals, as well as some spoken exposition, it definitely does well to close the album in terms of actual songs, my only main complaints being some interjected electronic bits, it also competes for my favorite song on the album.

Overall, I have to give this album great praise. Technically it is very well made, symphonically it is well orchestrated, structurally it is well composed, and all these aspects together make it a great album. I am curious as to whether the next album may build off of this album's thematic lyrics, to which I must also say that originally I did not expect the less supernatural yet still cosmic conclusion. Regardless, I highly recommend this album to anyone, especially those who love the likes of SEPTICFLESH and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, to name but a couple. I would also highly recommend people keep an eye out for future works of this band.