Label: Reigning Phoenix Music
Date: September 6th, 2024
As somewhat of an unusual choice, God Dethroned has, for me, ever sat on an undisputed throne of Dutch extreme metal. Not Sinister, Asphyx, Severe Torture, Sammath… These guys have captivated my senses since that almost threatening scream: “Loyal to the crown of God Dethroned”! And loyal I remain to this day. A proud owner of a group of signed CDs and a photograph with the band members, taken just weeks before the virus came “hailing death”. Leaping upon a chance to hear the new album prior to its release, I’m pleased to announce to the world that God may be dethroned, but God Dethroned won’t be so easy to overthrow.
Opening with probably the most melodic and atmospheric song the quartet has recorded to date, the title track of the album, straight through the hammering “Rat Kingdom” and exotic nature of “Kashmir Princess”, all the way to the “War Machine” (pretty much self-explanatory) which closes the album… “The Judas Paradox” sounds like God Dethroned enhanced. Almost in every aspect of creation, the quartet goes all in. Even the less experienced ears will notice that the production level has increased and is now rounding up the extremity in metal to a full scale assault on all that is primal within a metalhead. The melodic parts are more melodic and catchier. Extreme pieces are further aggressive to inflict maximum damage. I can’t stop thinking of Belphegor while these are shattering the ground beneath my feet. In atmospheric regard, God Dethroned fully grasps on the story they want to convey and underline it perfectly, with grandiose effect (again, the production adds its own flavor).
While the album, in its entirety, holds these keys and remains homogenous, the most compelling examples of the statements above come from the songs which stand out the most. Namely, the opening, title track, first single “Rat Kingdom”, orientally painted “Kashmir Princess” or the ritualistic, meandering “Hubris Anorexia”. These are easily among the best God Dethroned has to offer. The record remains strong throughout and shows a thought process which obviously took years to complete. Since “Asmodevs” reared its ungodly face, almost two years ago, the Dutch have worked on these eleven tracks and what lays before us is the unavoidably tremendous result.
Honestly, it’s a grouping of great songs where the mentioned favorites are just a half step in front as my personal choices. Darkly melancholic leads in “Broken Bloodlines”. The unbelievable yet quite logical tale of Judas Iscariot in a couple of tracks. Blasting machinegun fire supported by the crushing panzers in “War Machine”. Ominously lurking “The Eye of Providence”. There’s no track which shouldn’t be mentioned.
Okay, maybe “Black Heart”, which is a cloudy, dark intermezzo. To my ears, pretty unnecessary, but it doesn’t reach a full minute mark, so it doesn’t hurt the album too much. And whatever does hurt, can certainly be mended by the phenomenal choice for the cover imagery. Makes you wish to hold it in your hands. Actually, makes me wish there was an A3 poster of the cover in one of the bundles on offer at Reigning Phoenix Music. In any case, this is one to look out for. No other way!
