ALBUM REVIEW: Denial Of God – The Hallow Mass

Not long ago I reviewed a new EP from DENIAL OF GOD which I said had certainly grabbed my interest for a full length to come, well here it is! Bringing some of the most exciting horrors forth in the form of Melodic Black Metal with luscious leads aplenty, Osmose Productions and Hells Headbangers Records will unleash this monster on October 25th.

Thunder and rain appropriately open the album, reflecting on the downpour occurring outside as I write this review, truly immersing me in the record from the onset. Gorgeous piano and synths add some melody in a simplistic fashion to these samples, truly magnificent in the pristine ambience that opens the album. Anthemic guitars and crashing drums build on this atmosphere, giving a soaring feel to prepare for the onslaught ahead as snarled vocals kick us into blastbeats. The lead melodies are piercing as ever, something about Denial Of God that I have always loved is the painfully evocative melancholy of the melodic work that isn’t lame, just cutting musicianship at its finest. With a warm bass tone that comes through the mix especially on the more atmospheric parts, the production is fitting to the more accessible style of the band while by no means lacking in intensity. Once more we are given gruelling lyrics that are impeccably well suited to the nearing Halloween celebrations, while having some fun parts they are still remarkably gruesome. This record punches in at over one hour which could ruin many Black Metal releases with the potential to drag in all the wrong ways save for Denial Of God being superb at conjuring a dark atmosphere while delivering an exhilarating performance of majestic and gorgeous extremity that stirs things up often enough to keep you on your toes. The lucid feeling to the synths towards the end of the opening track are a perfect revelation as to the kind of melodics that lie ahead with a transcendentally magical feeling that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is slightly unnerving, summing up how I would describe the band as whole who draw out such mournfully doomy ambience with stunning and grandiose Black Metal that is unique, powerful and poignant in a manner that is still rivetingly aggressive and mesmerising. Another utterly tremendous record from one of the most enjoyable Melodic Black Metal bands around. 7 years since their album and clearly the band has worked hard and patiently to create something special, only teasing us with the epic track that is “The Shapeless Mass” earlier in the year. Some things are worth waiting for and this is one of them. -8.5/10