June 25^th saw the release of "Desolation" from KHEMMIS, and despite a running time of only 43 minutes, "Desolation" from 20 Buck Spin/Nuclear Blast Records, should easily be a contender for Metal album of the year. Following up of their 2016 album, "Hunted", KHEMMIS had a mighty task ahead of them. "Hunted" was a critic's darling, coming in as Decibel Magazine's number one album of 2016 and rightly so. "Hunted" was stunning. Yet, "Desolation" manages raise the bar even further, and for this reviewer, it surpasses its predecessor.

Formed in 2012, the band honed their sound in and around Denver, before releasing their debut "Absolution" in 2015. KHEMMIS is a hard band to label, initially labeled as a Doom band, they seemingly continue to push their own boundaries, and even the boundaries of genre confinement. "Desolation" is much more than a Doom album, though that element is evident. Rather, the band has matured and evolved and seems to head more into Progressive Metal and Traditional Metal territories with this release. Vocalist and guitarist Phil Pendergast has a fabulously unique classic vocal style that shows vast maturation on "Desolation". Relying primarily on clean vocals, his voice is somewhat soulful, and features much improved range. Yet, when appropriate, those demon-like growl and roar vocals from Ben Hutcherson make sure you remember this is music to Doom by, as do the dark subject matter of the lyrics. Anger, grief and loss is all accounted for here. Pendergast and guitarist Hutcherson's dual guitar attack occasionally brings IRON MAIDEN'S "galloping guitar" style to mind, and with Daniel Beiers on bass and Zach Coleman on the drums, the band displays genre crossing influences of many legendary Metal titans. The album is absolutely mesmerizing.

Featuring six tracks, the album opens with "Bloodletting" and immediately shows the maturation of the entire band. A harmonized overture, thought provoking, self reflective lyrics and a Classic Metal pace, and we're off to a fine start indeed.Our next track is a rip-roaring Traditional Metal powerhouse. My download lists the song as "Isolation", yet the lyrics don't match the lyrics I found online for the song. Instead, the song lyrics seem to be more like a title track, as "desolate" seems to be the main chorus. It's a great song regardless, but it is indeed confusing."Flesh to Nothing" follows, and features some of Pendergast's best vocals.Track four "The Seer", is lyrically incredible. "when the night falls and the fog grows, seek the shelter of these blackened wings, flee the sunrise so I won't find that I might rise on these tattered wings". That's as good as you'll find in any epic fantasy novel folks.

Next up, the final two tracks are the meat of the album. Heavy, fast and technical, "Maw of Time" is destined to be a live staple. Featuring both vocal styles and crunchy, feedback laden guitars, it's my favorite track. Finally, "From Ruin" closes out "Desolation". Clocking in at 9:20, "...Ruin" is espically epic. It's sweeping, it's SABBATHY , and it essentially sums up the album as well as any track.  It would be my track to recommend to anyone unfamiliar with KHEMMIS as an initiation. "Desolation" is destined to be an album talked about for quite some time. It should also be the album that breaks open a promising future for KHEMMIS. In a year that has already featured soon to be legendary albums by SLEEP, and YOB , KHEMMIS has proven they are a major player in the Doom pantheon. With this much great music, it's truly a great time to be alive.