So we have a Norwegian black and death metal band amongst us, they have been around now since their formation in 2017, their names individually is not known as they seem to be referred to by letters however we shouldn’t let this get in the way of seeing what these guys are all about. They are actually a trio, as they have G. who is on lead vocals/guitars, then there is O. who is on guitars and finally we have A. who is on bass guitar/backing vocals so we can only assume they use a drum machine but as it turns out, this is not the case. There is a session musician who has played drums on their previous records and it was mentioned in an interview with G. himself, that T. who has played drums for them cannot commit to the band as a full time member.

The band's name is GOATKRAFT which is an interesting choice for a band however it was also mentioned in the same interview that the members' names do spell the word ‘goat’ when put together. So let’s now take a look at their previous releases, their first release was a demo titled WAR METAL which came out not long after the band came together in 2017 featuring three tracks, after this they released an EP titled ANGEL SLAUGHTER which featured six tracks altogether in 2018. Their debut album came officially the following year in 2019 which was titled SULPHUROUS NORTHERN BASTIALITY as this was really a big start for the black metal trio, the year after in 2020 came a split album as well as featuring in a compilation album in 2021 too.

Now after the success of their debut album four years on from it, comes this brand new album in the form of PROPHET OF ETERNAL DAMNATION, which is GOATKRAFTs sophomore release, so let’s take a closer look into this album starting with the intro track titled “Portal To Annihilation” as a gong of black metal is struck, disturbing vocal whispers and low end drones of a guitar sounds perhaps. “Herald Of Death” is up next as we head straight into the widening hole of the bottomless pit of hell on earth itself, vocals so unbalanced with drums clashing like knives being thrown and guitars making their appearance when requested. Vocals become like a mouth-watering monstrosity but making way for the electrifying guitar riffs, as well as bashful drums as they are working their way into the mix, stabbing away as vocals continue on to growl and curse their words with satanic symbolism.

“Bestial Black Metal Hordes” is the next track as bouncing drum beats like they are encouraging the guitars and vocals to enter the haunted house of horrors, as the maddening purification of what we have heard is so dark and hysterical. Drums once more stammering away as we hear the snare being emphasised more, cymbals also crashing and being struck to support the overwhelming drama that unfolds before the listener. As we fast approach the next track, what is in store for us next you ask, well after a long screech that is almost stuck in our minds now like a nightmare, off we go then right into the next track which is “Filth Eradication”. Hungry is the beast within this track now, growling and waiting impatiently for it’s been fed eventually after a short atmospheric intro.

Staggering drums are in with vocal outbursts of anguish and pain, as the beast is running wild being represented by the rhythm of drums, then vocals depicting the behaviour and sinister soul or what is left of it now after so much filth from vocals, guitars & drums simultaneously. But there is stopping this wildebeest as it keeps on giving and throwing tantrums one after another, as the vocals open wide for a big outcry as we enter the album title track “Prophet Of Damnation”. As we hear drums galloping faster and faster, vocals twisting and turning as they spit their words of contempt and condemnation, the amplified guitar sound is a nice addition, but drums has to disrupt this moment with chaotic charisma as more vile and disarray of almighty abomination is present.

There is so much work of the devil in this track, it is marked for certain as the track confirms this album is cursed in it’s meaning beyond what we can imagine nor can I as the next track which is “Death Psalm”, is brought to use with a gong being struck again. Stirring noises in the night as footpaces can be heard, a low end drone and atmospheric black metal soundscape is all but neverending, but the next track certainly picks up from where the fifth track left off. “Barbaric Hatred And Doom” chases its prey like vultures who are launching themselves at the carcasses of dead animals, as guitars and drums do represent this theme for sure. As the predator eats away all the flesh that is there and the vocals could in some way represent the inner soul of these dead animals being eaten away.

So much has been bitten and taken away, reduced to almost nothing, there is almost bare bones of what the predators have left behind, as we progress on with the album, the next track which is “Primal Instincts”. A rapid rise in guitar as the amplified effect builds a crescendo as the agitation can be clearly heard from guitar, vocals and drums as they bash their way into this track, but they remain under control and restrict themselves from intruding the consistent chaos that has been insinuated. A screech from vocals, like a cry from a hungry predator, as we can begin to see the finishing line in sight with the final track as cymbals are struck so often before another guitar closing statement. “Thermonuclear Genocide” is the final track of the album, as we come to closing stages of his album.

The final track is very much a repeat of all that has been heard before, vocals are very much on the attack with guitars as well as drums being masked in some way so that all other instruments can take more of the spotlight for a change. So the drama and theatrics have been exposed throughout this album,  as well as the high end of the tonality of all instruments, but I do feel there is so much blending of black & death metal, that perhaps the outcome isn’t musically based but perhaps a theme or imagery has been conjured up by every sound and texture. So we come to the end, as we hear a more religious aspect like a chant by a monk, so overall there seems to be a deeper meaning to this album, as there is more of a sonic and soundscape tone. It is hard to distinguish between the individual instruments but they contribute well and compliment one another.