The Siege Of Ascalon
Extermination Order
Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: EXTERMINATION ORDER; signed via War Anthem Records, hailing from the United States of America, Iceland & the glory of Germany - performing Death Metal, on their debut EP entitled: "The Siege Of Ascalon" (released April 14th, 2023). Since formation in 2022, the quintet in question have a demo entitled: "Cadmean Victory" (released December 28th, 2022), and this EP entitled "The Siege Of Ascalon" of which I am introduced to. 5 tracks ranging around 25 minutes; EXTERMINATION ORDER arranges an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Death Metal developments.
Opening up with this crescendo building but cryptic soundscape of synthetic static; the titular track starts off the record with rampantly rompy thuds of sturdy trembles & sulphurous meatiness that rumbles with reverberating vascularity, slabbing this solid punchline artillery in a bludgeoning barrage frenzy of weighty rhythms that trailblazes with sonically seamless revs which rip with shredding substance. Organically belting a clobbering foundation in hefty grinds; an amplified adrenaline elements a bulldozing ferocity, surging with primitively raw tonality & relentless pandemonium, this boisterously bouncy fabrication conjures up profusely robust momentum on concretely gritty firepower expertise that's vehemently ruthless whilst viciously bombarding.
John's vocals soar with throaty raspiness & malignant grumbles; as guttural growls unleash killer pipes of monolithic bestiality, as a berserking calamity forges hybrid but experimental stridency... piledriving through with rambunctious slams from hammering drummer Matthias within songs like "Cadmean Victory" and "An Iron Shroud". Merging towering yet twinning - systematical guitar distortion from a dexterously dynamic duo: Gyða Hrund and Maik, this virulent strife rapidly swifts with nimble virtuosity... slaying salubriously with volatile maelstrom technicality which manifests a chiselling distilment in gnarly tears that's stompy whilst rigorously vigorous on top. Thumpy rifts from audible bassist Rocky flickers his axe with remorseless synergy, stabilized with frolicking chugs and galloping crunchiness for good exhilaration as the penultimate banger "Anon We Are Fallen" bludgeons heads with more diabolical gnarliness that will make you want to break chairs over other chairs in no time.
Overall concluding "The Siege Of Ascalon" with the finale epic NAPALM DEATH cover: "Siege Of Power"; a loud as fuck assimilation of their raging classic, I am compelled to say that EXTERMINATION ORDER most surely outdone themselves with this one, an enjoyably entertaining Death Metal spin that's worthy of replaying a good bunch of times until the next full-length releases - this is a band that keeps this subgenre afloat and begs for fans of this justifiable songwriting musicianship to keep on going. Do check it out - most definitely a discovery for fans of BOLT THROWER right off the bat, have at it.
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"The Siege Of Ascalon" Track-listing:
1. The Siege of Ascalon
2. Cadmean Victory
3. An Iron Shroud
4. Anon We Are Fallen
5. Siege of Power (Napalm Death cover)
Extermination Order Lineup:
Rocky - Bass
Matthias - Drums
Gyða Hrund - Guitars
Maik - Guitars
John - Vocals
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