Perfectly balanced between modern, razor-sharp deathcore brutality & bone-chilling 90’s Black Metal atmospheres, “Dark Secrets of the Soul” is a collection of violent and melodic dark songs that introduces the listener to an esoteric experience, touching the deepest and most controversial aspects of the human soul. The album has nine songs. “Adventiat Regnum Tuum” is first; a short album introduction. It sound most like a patchy recording of human voices and background noise, with ominous tones building.

“Eclipse of the Sun of Eden” is the first proper track, and it has a thickened Black Metal sound peppered with Symphonic elements and even some Deathcore thrown in, especially in the vocals. It is proper, and harrowing. “Buried by Snow and Hail” is fast, furious, and powerful, opening with a gut-wrenching scream and impossibly fast drumming. The vocals vary from high pitched screams to gutturals, the breakdowns are brutal, and the band runs an incredibly tight ship. “Lotus” begins with clean guitars, and a melancholy, calm and even soothing tone. The clean vocals mixed in with the harsh ones are surprising, and they work very well to temper the outright aggression of the album.

The title track has desperately sad tones in the beginning that are only bested by the fury that follows. The symphonic elements are still in the background providing support, but not overtaking the core sound, and the toggling between the two styles provides texture to the music. “Say My Name” is short blast of fury so hot, it leaves a trail of smoke behind it. Wallow in the power of those riffs and vocals…they will bury you. “Vampire Communication” is as mysterious and scary as it sounds. Once you have been invited into their nest, there is no easy way to leave. “Shadow of the Dark Throne” closes the album. It wraps up all of the elements into an extremely tight presentation.

Overall, it was probably the sheer power and aggression of the album that impressed me most, as well and the band’s impeccable sense of timing and musicianship. I have to be in the right mood to take this much of a beating, and the band provided plenty of blows.