ALBUM REVIEW: Dread Sovereign – Alchemical Warfare

Ireland’s Doom Metal mob DREAD SOVEREIGN return with their 3rd album of blasphemies. Out now via Metal Blade Records.

Starting with ambience, setting a sombre mood, samples ensue to accentuate the uneasy feeling of the opening piece. Crushing walls of crashing cymbals and fuzzy riffs permeate the air with an eerie fog of desolately grim Doom Metal morbidity. Charging forth, the ruthless charge of ferociously hard-hitting instrumentals and powerfully delivered vocals lay waste with devastatingly captivating musicianship of titanic proportions. Thunderous and bitterly melancholic with an urgent aggression coming through in their sound, it is clear Dread Sovereign continue on their pathway to a uniquely brilliant sound and the catchy pieces on this album are just as enjoyably gritty as on their previous works. Howling with occult themes and sounds that perfectly convey them, this album is off to a very strong start.

Spectral shadows are continually cast forth with this music that is ablaze with layers of creepy and yet warm sounding tracks. Each piece delves further into an ancient mystique that feels like something beyond our understanding, something truly dark lies awake at the heart of these songs. What really keeps the album interesting is the sheer amount of nuance from the little guitar licks buried under the walls of riffing to the intricacies in the drum work betwixt pounding grooves. All of these underline the macabre lyricism with a potent blend of sounds that are clearly the result of huge development from skilled musicians to deliver something multi-faceted. Each aspect feels relevant and necessary to the overall sound which is complex but under a guise of simplistically enjoyable and raunchy Doom Metal that will surely appeal to any Metal lover. This middle-ground in which Dread Sovereign sits allows them to express their magnificence without filter of compressing themselves into a modern niche of inescapable trends.

On the surface, we see foreboding Doom Metal with visceral grooves of epic proportions that deliver crushing anthems that will suit the needs of your average headbanger easily. Beneath this, a demonic entity with attention to detail awaits, rewarding those with a keen ear who seek the more malevolent forces behind this record. The eeriness in the soloing that breaks the mould of fun choruses and catchy riffs is a perfect metaphor for the darkness to be found while conveyed in a memorable and easy to get into style of Doom Metal. I feel anyone who puts on this record will find it hard to turn off midway, as the barbarian momentum of the thing is simply too strong, it is then you will begin seeking what lurks beneath. With plenty of killer new tracks, a warm production and stunning artwork, the transition from the veritably marvellous Van Records to big-dogs Metal Blade, the quality nor vision of the band has been compromised, thankfully.

A storm of obliterating drums, monolithic riffs and chilling vocals is what we get on this record. Nearly an hours worth with plentiful progression and nuance to keep the brain searching for more eccentricities that can be found in abundance for those willing to pay close attention. While admittedly “For Doom The Bell Tolls” remains my favourite opus by Dread Sovereign, this new tome is absolutely worthwhile.