The Word of His Law
Egregore

When dealing with some labels, one must have a deep careful consideration. To call someone Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal or any other name isn't enough to describe fully what a band is about. And if the band is trying to breed different elements to its music, things are even more difficult to describe. One fine example is what the Canadian duet EGREGORE shows on "The Word of His Law", their first release.
There are moments when they seem to be an Old School Black/Thrash Metal act; on others they bring some melodic Black Metal elements (yes, catchy elements can appear in unexpected moments, as happens on "Howling Premonition"), on others seems like a Death/Black Metal of the second half of the 80's. But pay attention to the next words: all of this in a personal way that makes sense. Yes, their music isn't something like 'it has everything to reach everyone', but has a personal approach and an amazing energy flowing of them. Yes, they're a really good name, indeed. The sonority that "The Word of His Law" bear is trying to fit on a Thrash/Black model of the past, but with some modern improvements (earned from the equipment used on the studio), giving the right idea of what is being played, even with the focus on something crude and straightforward.
On "Howling Premonition", one can have the wrong idea on the beginning, but as the song passes by, many different elements are show, including charming keyboards and melodic guitar leads. On "Exfiltrating the Triangle", they prefer to simply fit on an Old School Black/Death Metal format, but with a technical care on some tempos (what means that bass guitar and drums are working in great shape), and the same happens on "Reborn as the Word of His Law". And the contrasts between deeper melodies based on keyboards and brutality of the guitars reign during "Libidinization of Will Azothic" (where some very good vocals parts can be heard) are really excellent.
For a first coming, "The Word of His Law" is really a very good release. But the extreme Metal fans can expect greater things of EGREGORE in the future.
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"The Word of His Law" Track-listing:
1. The Place & the Time
2. Howling Premonition
3. Exfiltrating the Triangle
4. Reborn as the Word of His Law
5. Libidinization of Will Azothic
6. An Address to Abraxas
Egregore Lineup:
Shawn Haché
Sebastian Montesi
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