We have a blackened thrash/speed metal duo from Norway, their back catalogue of releases spans across two decades since their formation in 2005, so they are no strangers in the black metal scene in their country. The duo themselves are known as SERGEANT SALSTEN on vocals/guitars/bass and SADOMANCER on drums/backing vocals/guitars, their journey began with three separate demo releases in 2006 and 2007 which was then followed up by an EP release titled FOREVER RIPPING FAST landing in 2008. After two compilation albums in 2009, they were all set for what would be their debut full length album titled PHANTOM KNIGHTS which arrived in 2010. After another compilation album plus two split albums the duo were involved in, the duo were onto their sophomore album release titled ONWARD TO THE PITS in 2012.

After yet another split album they duo became involved in, they went on to release their third studio album which was titled EVIL POWER which came in 2015 and just three years later, was the release of their fourth album CHAINED TO HELL. So from then on, they released a single in 2020 as they went on two years later to release their fifth studio album ELECTRIC WARFARE in 2022. Since then they have been hard at work in the recording studio once more to set themselves up for their sixth album titled CRIMSON DAWN which was released in August 2025. So without further adieu let's go straight into this album with the first track which is titled "Abyssic Thunder" as we hear some fluent and wavy playing from a synth which is like an organ or keyboard perhaps.

After the first minute then we can hear some high pitch screaming along with blistering guitar riffs, as well as high end drumming. The vocalist screeches his lungs out as much as possible, as the drums and guitars follow a blackened metal path of devastation, there is certainly a correlation between guitars and vocals, drums certainly thrash themselves but at such a fast pace too. Vocals pouring themselves over all the mixture of guitars, bass and other sound effects, is very much what we can expect from a blackened thrash/speed metal band, so we hear some cymbal hits also as the rapid firing of everything is insane. "Satan's Sword" comes in as high pitch guitars come in swinging and allow feedback amp noise come through also, which is a really cool effect and drums playing fast paced patterns.

We can also hear the backing vocals also making their contribution, but as before the lead vocals takes our breath away with the constant shrieking and high end screams, the guitar riffs supporting as does the drums. Even lead guitar can also enjoy some note picking but at a fast pace, so it's more speed metal based guitar tempo, then some loud stomping by drums with guitars and bass helping out to set the tempo. On we go into the next track which is "Stygian Lust" as we hear horrifying themes of vengeance and fury in the guitars as they are off to a lightening speed with drums supporting them as well, vocals joining in also as the track has a lot of attacking cymbal hits, guitar riffs and vocal screams. However in the final moments, the drums change their pace ever so slightly, can be hard to make out but the track is unstoppable in tempo.

"Nocturnal Windz Of Fire" as we hear guitars coming into the track all guns blazing as the whole band comes in together, drums crunching every hit or strike of a cymbal and vocals as sinister as they have been, portraying themes of hell, death and satan. Even the high pitched screams and surrounding soundscape of what we can hear other than the band is giving those feelings of terror and isolation, the guitar gets a nice solo in there, so onwards we go to the next track which is "Crimson Dawn". All going wild the drums are in this next track, with vocal shrieks as well as guitars sizzling as they are releasing all their solo energy into the mix, there is certainly more variety in dynamics and instrumentation this time around.

Vocals really dig in with their teeth and show the depth or projection of how high and low they can go with their range, shrieking or screamer notes. Even halfway through a nice mix of cymbal hits and precise guitar strikes work very well, plus vocals reaching their higher range, so moving onto the next track which is "Legacy Of Pain". As we hear a wall of sound from guitars, drums and lots of terrifying or gloomy sounds, the vocals do eventually join in, bringing in the pain and anguish as they grind their teeth. Galloping movements from all members of the band, as the tempo quickens as drums with a nice guitar solo bringing out a later section to life, as now move onto the next track which is "Diet Eternal". This seventh track has certainly done what it can do to build up from here as we come towards the closing track of this sixth studio album by the band.

As before the haunting soundscape of this album still lingers on, with ghastly screams and echoes of thundering drums crashing with cymbal hits, even some screams go on for a bit longer than usual but extend with such raw power plus some additional effects. So at long last we come to the final frontier, which concludes the album with the final track titled "Into The Blackness Of Hell" as we hear guitars swooping in from one side to another, drums putting the foot down on the accelerator for a treacherous trail of death metal drumming like no other. Later on there is more occultic and satanic soundscape that certainly stands out more as well as the band as they mush on with a mix of thrash and black metal but with the tempo of speed metal freaks off the leash.

So that wraps up this album by DEATHHAMMER who have brought to us their sixth studio album to date now, they are certainly pushing themselves to the brink of drawing their listeners in for such a mix of various sub genres all into one sound. I would say that this band may go onto bigger things as they have been going on since their formation in 2005, so if you are mad into the black metal but mixed with thrash, speed and melodic metal then this band may be just for you.