ALBUM REVIEW: Cult Of Extinction – Ritual In The Absolute Absence Of Light

Here I review the heavily anticipated debut full length album from Blackened Death Metallers CULT OF EXTINCTION. Out now via Iron Bonehead Productions.

The opening of the record is eerie enough without any need for guitar, bass, drums or vocals, giving a haunting ambient soundscape to begin things with that sets a horrifically unsettling mood, perfectly putting things in place for what lies ahead. A cacophony of guitars that growl with putridity and violent drum hits bring in the bestial sound of the band with utmost force, a doomy mood filled with vitriolic disparity fills the air before the lead guitars mold glistening dissonance over the rhythm sections. Fierce instrumentals and hideously aggressive vocals drive themselves in for a performance of utter morbidity and hatefully raw onslaughts. While the elements of classic War Metal bands like Revenge are certainly in place with the swelling drum blasts and macabre guitar churning alongside totally insane vocal screams and belches, there is also a more discordant flourish to the music that sets it apart. A sonic onslaught of beaming instrumentals rip you from your comfort zone on this record with disturbing melodies used minimally amongst the ferociously ripping grooves and barbaric vocal performance. The estranged grinding bombardment of War Metal with a twinkling occasionally gorgeous lead guitar buried in violating guitars and grindcore level drumming reminds me of Infernal Coil but with a more unhinging production style that feels muddied and truly evil with depravity being conveyed amongst the nuclear savagery. Progressive is not a term I would associate with War Metal, but the use of intricate lead work and more sombre atmospherics, while subtle, clearly do show a new angle on the genre and make for an excitingly refreshing experience while retaining the primitive and violent spirit of the sound. Excellent sampling makes appearances to add even more disturbing visions to the barbarity and disconcerting feel of the album. Another unique element in War Metal that they have is a really thick bass sound that really drives the sound in (similarly to the stomping thunder of bands like Archgoat). This record violates and decimates you in about thirty minutes leaving you thirsty for more while feeling fulfilled and satisfied in the totally unrelenting supremacy of the album. While I am not shy to call this War Metal with the unmistakable mixture of piercing Black Metal and thunderous Death Metal, there is more to it than that, adding some Industrial and Noise elements along with their own blend of more dissonant workmanship, truly marvellous. This is not one for the run-of-the-mill Black/Death Metal fan, but a true gem for the bestial maniacs. -8.5/10