Review Summary: The band achieve a laudable amount of variation without ever abandoning their core black metal aesthetic.
Although black metal is traditionally thought of as a eminent Scandinavian curiosity, recent years have seen a particular groundswell of talent emerge from the US, and just as substantially the UK, which have proved to pedal the frostbitten extremities with just as much know how as our European neighbors. With acts such as Winterfylleth, Eastern Front and Wodensthrone making particular waves in the British underground, the path is carved for blackened sluggers Sacrilegious Throne, whose rather dynamic take on the icy violence is certainly posed to turn heads.
‘Eternal Apostasy’ undeniably calls to mind some of the genres more revered heavy hitters, with a welcome Dissection-eque dash of melodicism liberally sprinkled and Watain‘s full throttle approach of consistent bearing, yet what’s truly impressive here are some deft inclusions which, whilst still helping retain a wholly vicious sound, betray a admirable span of influences.
Indeed, after the towering Dimmu Borgir-isms of opening track, ‘Eternal Apostasy’, ‘Lying Dormant’ treats us to a delicious marriage of blitzkrieg thrash riffing and frosty passages of chest caving blast beats all cocooning a fist pumping chorus hook, whilst ‘Spreading The Swarm’ is all meanderingly plucked chords and mid tempo churning, leaning towards some of the more sinisterly atmospheric death metal acts in the canon.
‘Creating Eternal Darkness’ although must assuredly take the album highlight crown here, with some electrifying changes of pace and ominous lead work making for a number which really hits home in terms of engagement, as well as maintaining a muscular command.
Sacrilegious Throne have turned in an impressive debut release. With extreme metal fans so seemingly difficult to please nowadays, the band achieve a laudable amount of variation without ever abandoning their core black metal aesthetic. On this evidence, the prospect of an imminent full-length could yield some very exciting results indeed.
