Metal maniacs, rejoice! The Thrasher returns to present to you: DEVILMENT; signed via the brilliant Nuclear Blast Records, hailing from England - performing Symphonic Gothic/Groove Metal, and on their 2^nd sophomore album entitled: "II - The Mephisto Waltzes".

Since formation in 2011; the quintet in question have one album behind them: "The Great and Secret Show" (released on November 3^rd, 2014). Only a couple years later comes this here brute: "II - The Mephisto Waltzes" (released on November 18^th, 2016). The main attraction here is typically the CRADLE OF FILTH frontman: Dani Filth; or, if you're a COF newbie like myself...you're here for a newly undiscovered surprise. I was acquainted with DEVILMENT not too long ago and was intrigued by the title; not to mention the feminine vocalist in duet here, Lauren Francis; there is a lot of originality that feels very unprecedented. An instrumental structure that flows throughout, from start to finish; in joint combination of a Symphonic Gothic atmosphere and the extremity of Groove Metal, excelling to some rhythmic harmonies explode with killer riffs and epic blast beatery. What's not to like?!

Dani Filth consists himself with a wide arrange of complex vocals from clean to extremity in a brilliant execution that showcases an elemental ascendant in compiling his and, as well as Lauren Francis' feminine style, into an unparalleled experience, while showcasing dexterity in their duet efforts. Everything sounds solid and raw with the powerhouse of Matt Alston on drums and Nick Johnson on bass, efficiently contributing with consistency and dynamical precision. Assisting with pummeling acuteness definitively explodes with destructive precision; enabling for an ultimately traumatic experience in which showcases excellent musicianship in the process. All sounds stellar; clarifying that DEVILMENT may well could be English grounds' number 1 for Symphonic Metal greatness. 9 tracks ranging at around 49:38s...consistently push boundaries in adversity and exquisitely sounding immense with extreme measures.

"Judas Stein" begins the album with seemingly transgressed results right off the earphones. Harmonies abound with a groovy sense of instrumentation, as well as typical extremity one can expect; insightful melodies on top of high-pitch screaming, embossed elegantly throughout. Similar tracks like "Hitchcock Blonde", "Under The Thunder", & "Full Dark, No Stars", element at a prowess of imitating a sense of a play of an artistic formula that sounds enlightening in the engagement. "Shine On Sophie Moore", "Life Is What You Keep From The Reaper", & "Dea Della Morte", excitingly keep this method brilliantly with the sound of Metal well performed, with the aforementioned in check - "Entangled In Our Pride" & "Hell At My Back", concludes the record with intense fruition. Suffice to say; that was one helluva ride for me; I enjoyed "II - The Mephisto Waltzes" and I think it will fulfill your fix for Symphonic/Groove Metal ultimately.

Pretty much masterful.<