ALBUM REVIEW: Lvcifyre – The Broken Seal

UK Blackened Death Metal titans LVCIFYRE return with their 3rd album. Set for release via Dark Descent Records and Norma Evangelium Diaboli on September 10th.

Reverberate feedback and incantations begin the venomous onslaught before dissonant guitars erupt into a cascade of daunting Death Metal demolition alongside some of the most insane blasting to grace a drum kit in recent times. The dissonant flare of the riffs adds a Voivodian flare to the Black-Death insanity which can only be described as visceral with the bludgeoning yet precise sounds concocting something truly terrifying. Flavourful soloing adds more fantastic musicianship to the disdainful artillery as we delve into a truly endarkened and malignant abyss of sonic violence. It is clear from the early moments of this record that Lvcifyre are going to deliver their most labyrinthine and twisted album to date, with all of the bands key elements and uncompromising sound, taken into the furthest reaches of whichever diabolic realm they dwell within.

The atmosphere on this album is oppressive and suffocating, creating something of a claustrophobic feeling to the album, which in turn contrasts itself with explosive and volatile musicianship. Its blackened edges lend a demonic fury to the savagery on show which while primal and full of energy is equally impeccable in musicianship and skilful execution. With such powerful instrumentals, the vocals have an armageddon of ferocity to aid them, thankfully not falling short in their delivery with monstrous howls and devilish snarls that call on the underworld and summon something truly unique. There is no denying the malice nor fire at the heart of these wretched incantations, clearly the band is as bold and unrelenting as they have ever been with the most sharpened and blazon craftsmanship we have seen from the band to date.

With a rhythmic heart that pounds in some sort of coronary collapse under the weight of its own sheer might, this album inverts, warps and contorts into some of the most interesting conjurations of eldritch music that have been heard from this entity. A remarkably venturous album that doesn’t hold itself back from taking experiments to their logical conclusion without ever becoming dull or meandering. For those who fear that these progressions and experiments blaspheme the Metal part of Death Metal, you would be mistaken. This album is furious, energetic and bounds into so many fist-pounding moments of triumph that it is still everything a headbanger could hope for, but will shatter any illusions of easy-listening music for the simple-minded. Harsh and crushing, memorable and entirely unpredictable, those who are not wary of such power shall be rewarded.

Venomous, resplendent and untamed, this feral beast of Death Metal vitriol will cast a shadow upon those who dare truly experience what is on offer. A malevolent creation that is true to the Death Metal ways of old without dishonouring them with cheap tricks, this is potent stuff that is not for the faint of heart, mind or soul. T Kaos and crew have unwavering conviction and it is on full display here, with Lvcifyre’s finest offering yet.