Following on from 2013’s EP release ‘Proclamation‘, this next instalment from Western Australia’s black metal monster Wardaemonic is an excellent example of our homegrown ability to push the boundaries of extreme music and make a truly world-class album. From the very beginning, this album instantly pulls you in.
Unleashing a maelstrom of seething darkness & the unrelenting battery of violent rhythmic chaos, Wardaemonic enthrals the listener from the get go. Amid the incessant pounding drums, the guitars and bass create an intense and eerie ambience very sorely missed in a lot of the black metal released today. Evoking an atmosphere very reminiscent of some unknown primal, glacier-bound, ice-blasted tundra, the first few tracks are absolutely blistering. After a while, the pace lets down to a mid-pace stomp and the vibe becomes much more claustrophobic. Temple of Rats! This is an excellent track. Further on, the album picks up the pace again and sends the listener spiralling headlong into the madness again.
Astride all of this, the hellish screams and guttural vocals make for a haunting lead on this hydra of an album. The drums are phenomenal. Consistent, almost inhuman blast beats mix with intricate rhythms to keep the listener locked in. The guitars are well balanced, neither lead and nor rhythm sacrificed for the sake of the other, resulting in a monolithic sound. The bass is thunderous. The added atmospheres (synthetic, sampled or otherwise), are a nice touch, meshing the album together and helping to establish a great flow from song to song. This is a very strong and diverse album.
The tracks each have their own overall vibe and charm to them, they don’t run together into an unfathomable mass like many in this genre. They maintain their character while contributing to the album as a whole, I would be hard-pressed to name a standout track on this album as they’re all really good. But the opener ‘Drowning in a Sea of Wretchedness’ is a great example of the myriad of sounds and aggression this band has to offer. Also, the cover artwork for this album is also very evocative and true to the music, very suited to Wardaemonic‘s style and direction.
This album has been very well produced and well recorded, resulting in a must-have for any fan of Black, Death or Extreme metal. These guys have truly done an album worth spending your loot on. I highly recommend you check this out.
Wardaemonic: Facebook
Release Year: 2015
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Black Jack
