From Bandcamp, "From a fleeting communion in 2005, Lykormas and Arneriach soon felt the ancient pull once more, the irresistible summons of decay, of origins long since festering in shadow. They turned back toward their rotted foundations, seeking to forge sound steeped in elder days and forgotten rites. Seasoned wanderers of the underground, theit old hunger never slept. Thus ARCHAIC OATH was sworn. A covenant to resurrect blackened death metal in its most primal form. Its veins run thick with the essence of the 90's melodic black metal era, tempered by decades of metal etched into flesh and bone. The band's first offering, "Determined to Death and Beyond," was hewn during the long, cold winter of 2024–2025, destined to emerge from the void via AOP Records one year hence."

The album has eight songs, and "Above the Ice" is first. It has a traditional Black Metal sound…a veritable wall of riffs, high pitched vocal screams, galloping drums, and that overly trebly production. "Wrath of the Witches" has a dark and aggressive sound, as well as that familiar "one-two" step sequence of Black Metal. It moves quickly, as if it were on fire, and the band doesn't let up any of the intensity. "Forest of Horrors" hears the fast, thick, and aggressive pace and sounds continue, and it's akin to the band pressing down the gas pedal on a careening bus and not letting up. "Requiem for a Doomed Soul" is the first chance that you get to catch your breath from the madness and chaos of the first three songs. It's a short instrumental, made up of clean, solemn guitar tones.

"Abysmal Ascent" is another burner, keeping a lightning fast pace of contention. There are also some spoken words that have a solemn, cold tone to them. "Path of Penitence" has an overgrown sound from the constant presence of guitar riffs and galloping drums. Add in the vocal screams, and you have a frightening and harrowing sound. There are more spoken words also, and they drip with regret. "Into the Temple of Light" has a similar pace and sound, and that is one thing I always comment about on an album. On one hand, it points to the band honing in on their sound. On the other hand, the lack of diversity makes for a bit of a disappointing listening experience. "Ye Entrancemperium" is the final song, and the duo reaches back to the intensity knob and turns it up all the way to the max. Like a runaway train. It just plows forward without a thought.

Overall, this was a traditional Black Metal sound that most enthusiasts will find to their liking. I was hoping for some more experimentation and surprises, but they never came. Give credit to the band for fulfilling their vision on the album, but also offer some critique for the lack of diversity.