Out to punish the demonic forces by any means necessary, black metal band Demoniciduth returns with their second full length album Enemy of Satan. The Swiss metallers have also released a split album and more recently, an EP. Demoniciduth plays aggressive, raw black metal in the vein of Immortal and Horde. There's a strong influence from Horde in the shrieking guitar attacks and the band's lyrical philosophy. Demoniciduth has been flying under the radar for a long time, but after signing with Vision of God records and releasing Enemy of Satan, the band certainly deserves more followers.
On the band's previous EP The Valley of Decision, death metal was in full force. The band has returned to their roots on their newest album, and while there are a few death metal influences, it's essentially black metal at its core. The recording quality on Enemy of Satan is superb, especially considering the subgenre. The guitars are played by Lord Ekklektus, and it's one of the reasons that the album delivers. The guitar riffs churn like a throbbing and rage-induced medusa, delivering a raw, sonic punch to the throat. Vocalist Taanak continues in the tradition of Steve Rowe by also holding down the bass on the low end. Finally, drummer Sir Krino is no slouch as he rips though the 8-track album with interesting fills.
Enemy of Satan roars out of the gate with "March of the Dead," an instrumental track with memorable melodic guitar riffs. Then it's on to "Christian Metal Worldwide," a song that displays churning guitar riffs and vitriolic shrieking. The distorted backup vocals, more in the vein of death metal, provide variation. "Christian Metal Worldwide" is the band's mission statement as much as it is a punishing black metal opus.
"Destiny" is a shorter song with pounding drums and guitar riffs that smell distinctly of Antestor. "Crucify" is Enemy of Satan's fourth track, and it could have been a B-side on Horde's Hellig Usvart. Taanak screams "crucify!" with bloodcurdling emotion. Later, thick, distorted guitar riffs accompany a time change mid-song, making the song stand out as one of the strongest on the album. "The Holocaust of our Generation" has some intriguing harmonics that bring the song closer to A Hill to Die Upon territory.
Enemy of Satan's title track, "Enemy of Satan," reminds the listener of the Spanish black metal band Hortor. The passionate vocals juxtaposed against the churning guitars leave no doubt as to Demoniciuth's convictions. "Enemy of Satan, fear not the serpent!" I'm a sucker for memorable lines, and this song hits the nail right on the head. "Megiddo Massacre" begins with a thumping bass guitar riff, an instrument that is often under-utilized in metal. The song boasts innovative guitar riffs and tight drumming.
After a furious assault of 7 black metal tracks, Demoniciduth backs off the pedal for a moment with Enemy of Satan's album closer. "Dogs of Antichrist" is not a new track, having previously appeared on the band's album Dogs of Antichrist. The treatment that the song receives, however, is new. The song is lengthened by more than a minute to provide an atmospheric intro. The ritardando in the electric guitar riff vis a vis the pounding bass guitar is a tribute to the band's excellent musicianship.
It's difficult to levy criticism at Enemy of Satan. There could have been more dynamic and melodic contrast, and the guitar sounds just a little thin in one or two spots. The album could have been a bit longer, but that's about it. Enemy of Satan is one of the best Christian black metal albums to be released in years. If you're a fan of traditional black metal, you'll find something to enjoy on Enemy of Satan. It seems that Jayson Sherlock, the one-man wrecking machine behind Horde, would be proud that his vision has helped to birth a band like Demoniciduth.
Rating: 9/10
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