From Bandcamp, “Carrion Lord” is a delve into the dark and brutal, a relentless morphing display of new territories for the band, as well as brief moments that hearken to previous stages of it’s sound. Contextually, it is a record that expands in depth on the narrative aspect of "Existence" with new characters, factions, and locations to build a world primed for fantasy and metal enjoyers alike. It is a product of passion that shows the growth of the band over the last three years, and is but another bar to reach above for the next record. The album takes place a millenia before the events of the previous records and establishes a foundation for a few important factions of mankind. With deception at its roots, the eyes of these select few see not the horrors they are to face. Two of The Ancients await the brave humans across the Black Waters with anticipation, eager to collect souls and devour flesh for the first time in centuries for the birth of the Third Seraph. No fate is certain when gods make war...”

The album has ten songs, and “The Mausoleum” is first. Clean guitar tones escape first, with the cawing of a crow. What follows however is quite heavy and aggressive. The guitars are thick, and the vocals harsh. “Hunger in Your Deceased Deity” is another overgrown song in terms of what the band is able to cram into it. There are some nice guitar runs and squeals to go along with the harsh vocals, and the basic structure is one of deep aggression. “Fleshbinding Ritual” is another burner in terms of the energy and pacing, and the band hits each accent with precision. The level of outright aggression is high and the band never lets up. The title track is a dark and contentious affair, as the juggernaut rolls forward without concern.

“Hollowed” is yet another murderous affair. The guitars come straight at you, as do the vocals, bass and drums, and the song is filled with energy. The guitar work is intricate but the song loses none of the aggression. “Sculptors of Seraphic Tributes” is a song that eases the listener into the sound, with leading clean guitar tones, but the thick aggression that follows is a pedal to the metal approach. Once they place their foot on the pedal, they don’t let up. “Kept from Dust” is a song steeped in clean tones, and solemn vocals. “Bloodborne” closes the album, and it is more focused on a thick and aggressive sound, returning the album to its starting point.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad album, but it didn’t do anything to distance itself from other albums in the genre. The band isn’t without talent, but for next time, I would like to hear some more originality from them.