From Bandcamp, “Beckoning Tribulation” is a lens into the human condition, the inevitable decline due to the innate zealotry and hypocrisy within our species,” states N.H. “The triumphant proclamation of the death of god and the impending doom of mankind as it struggles within the vacuum this creates.” The album has seven songs, and “Plague Monarch Ascendant” is first. It has a primal, biting sound, with plenty of dissonance. The vocals are harsh, and there aren’t many melodic notes around, while the guitars and bass keep the song glued together through a few shifts in the meter. “Flagellation Crusade” is much shorter, although the music sounds eerily similar to the first song, almost a continuation.

“Doomed Quintessence” is as desolate as it sounds…deeply dissonant, without a shred of absolution or hope. It’s cold, sterile, and sinks into your bones, like the frozen tundra of Antarctica. “Beckoning Tribulation” has some SABBATH riffs evident, and you can trace the roots of the band back there, and rightly so. Ardent Death Metal tones follow, and one thing that the band has supreme control over is the meter. The shifts are subtle, and the band always handles them with deference. “Spiritual Attrition” carries a similar sound and impact. Even within some of the tight borders of the genre, there is room for creativity, but the band isn’t taking full advantage of that. “Emissary of Suffering” sports some Doom elements added for seasoning.

“…Of the Crucible” closes the album, and it rides at you with a full head of steam, fueled by the energy in the guitar work. Bass keeps up nicely, and the two play very well together. Dissonance registers highly once again. Overall, this was a good album, but there is room for improvement. Besides the high level of control the band has on the album, which is noteworthy, the songs themselves are just too similar sounding. The band is talented as well. I would just like to have seen them take some more chances, because the groundwork is there, and they are capable of some surprises.