MACHIAVELLIAN GOD is a Melodic Death Metal band based in Bucharest, Romania, founded in 2017. The band creates its songs in a unique manner, combining elements from Doom, Black, Atmospheric, and others, all ingeniously layered over a solid foundation of Melodic Death Metal. Lyrically, MACHIAVELLIAN GOD delves into intriguing subjects like philosophy, Gnosticism, mythical stories, and ancient beliefs, perfectly complementing their music. Their newest album has five songs.

“Into the Abyss” is first; and it’s a beast, at over 16 minutes in length. The opening tones are somber and powerful, and when the harsh vocals enter, it picks up in pace. Like the title suggests, the song has a bleak output. With some clean vocals, it ushers in a more charming passage, with piano notes and thick bass guitar thumps. But the filth returns with some well- done atmospheric moments. From there, it’s a trade-off between aggression and melody, and some of the melodic moments are glorious. “Shadows and Chains” focuses on the extremes…deep, aggressive gutturals in the verses and shining cleans in the chorus. The tender moments are just as vital as the contentious ones.

“The Burden of Existence” has a clean entrance that transitions to a study and rougher sound, and together with some somber elements, really leaves a lasting impression. The balance between the two is nearly perfect, and the tinge of depression reflects the song title. “Serenade of Solitude” is short segue piece where solitude is all that I can think about as a listener. Solitude doesn’t necessarily mean to feel lonely, it is just being alone, which can be very nice for someone and not for someone else. “Eternal Echoes” closes the album. It has ominous qualities, like birth and death at the same time. Those tender moments and quite charming as well. It’s a song that is meant to leave a final monumental impression of the album on the listener.

The balance that the band was able to maintain between heavy, weighted aggression and tender vulnerability was impressive, and the stretched both extremes of the style. The heavier side comes at you with the wrath of a thunderstorm, while the lighter side shines through the black clouds like a beacon of warm light.