People thinks that only Black Metal and Death Metal acts are able to use dark themes on their lyrics, what’s a very wrong conception. Before VENOM started Black Metal or POSSESSED came with “Seven Churches”, many bands raised their guitars in the praise of evil and darkness (but without taking seriously). And some early Doom Metal acts did it - as they were heirs of BLACK SABBATH music - as WITCHFINDER GENERAL. Such thing became unusual from some moment on the 80s onward, but it seems many bands are again trying to break the monopoly of extreme themes by extreme Metal acts, and one of them is the German quartet ANGEL OF DAMNATION, as heard on their third ritual, “Ethereal Blasphemy”.

Sascha Bastian (mixing, mastering) helped the band to sharp the desired sonority on studio. The result is something classic and without a modern outfit, trying to sound like early Doom Metal releases, but obviously, things were done in a defined way that allows the fans to understand what is being played, besides the band’s music deserved a more weighty sonority. And the artwork of Chris Moyen for many can distressing, but’s very good.

Musically, it’s clear that the quartet drinks its musical inspirations in the source created by WITCHFINDER GENERAL, TROUBLE, CANDLEMASS, SAINT VITUS, PENTAGRAM, THE OBSESSED, CIRITH UNGOL and others on their prime, or in other words, they stay attached on the most classic form of Doom Metal possible, with the addiction of very good melodies and weight, and unleashes an oppressive energy, indeed.

As a third album, “Ethereal Blasphemy” depicts maturity and a will to be honest to the band and its fans; and Doom Metal addicted fans will love to deal with “Eternal Life in Hell”, “Evangeline”, “Stigmata”, “Warning from the Sky”, “Lost in a World of Despair”, “Hungry Hordes of Hades” and “Anal Worship of the Goatlord”, all of them with very good instrumental parts (charming guitar riffs and solos, solid playing on bass guitar and drums) with good vocals (that can become better in the future, even being good by now). Yes, it’s a very good release, indeed.

“Ethereal Blasphemy” is really that kind of release that will tease Doom Metal fans, and prove that ANGEL OF DAMNATION is a name that deserves to be known.