ALBUM REVIEW: Strychnos – Armageddon Patronage

Denmark’s Blackened Death Metal titans STRYCHNOS return with their second album of abhorrent delights. Although they formed in 1998, their debut album came in 2020 (after a couple of demos and EP’s). This is the follow up to that full length. Set for release on May 17th via Dark Descent Records.

Creeping leads begin our hellish descent before a tormenting acceleration toward restlessness and abysmal doom. The otherworldly guitar riffs contort around strong bass and intricate drums. Inhuman incantations make up the vocal portion of this soundscape, all ruthlessly evil and hostile. Strychnos have upped the ante, since their debut album their sound has improved even further towards a pulverising and multi-faceted style of Extreme Metal that feels explorative and yet upholds the archaic morbid ways gloriously. Scorching us with barbarity that is utterly savage in the playing and yet so many nuances feel carefully placed, this is the best of both worlds. Sometimes you can tell a band is made up of seasoned musicians and this is one such case, the beginnings of “Armageddon Patronage” offer a desolate, punishing and abyssal style of Blackened Death Metal that will pull you into the void.

Bludgeoning battery continues to spew forth from the underworld, while the musicianship is always on top form. Playing skilfully but always firing all cylinders, fuelled by a formidably evil presence, this dominant and demonic riff-fest is truly a wild and exciting listen throughout. Getting further in, the desire to forge on grows as the intensity and tension is volcanic and erratic. Each ecstatic and volatile move feels so organic and yet things don’t grow predictable or tiresome, rather the gargantuan grotesqueries tighten their grip on your very being. Churning every classical influence of Black and Death Metal but concocting something original and as fearsome as its creative predecessors, these pieces of ritualistic and possessed music feel ablaze with a fervent passion. While in modern times, so many bands playing this style of music feel like a dress-up act lacking in both substance and sonics, Strychnos prove there is real die-hard maniacs in the underground to fight the old fight and give us real macabre metallic fury.

With music as poisonous and deadly as their namesake, creating equal senses of convulsions and asphyxiation, Strychnos honourably convey total desecration until the end. Their deathly storm never fades, like a blitzkrieg of bestial aggression. Holding the flag of violence until its dying moments, this album is a total triumph than never weakens or becomes merciful. In fact, it grows even more punishing with its dynamic and devilish twists and turns that keep you on the brink of chaos. Some moments feel more evocative and haunting, while others simply utilise full-bore viciousness. Whatever the mood or execution, the quality is sublime and every feeling is palpably strong. The band seems to be able to take their brand of forceful music to some pretty wild places, such as the surprise appearance of Dominus’ (or more famously Volbeat’s) Michael Poulsen, whose ethereal vocals add a very unique dimension that most Extreme Metal bands simply wouldn’t have the guts to try. This is just one example, but the riffs do it far more often with their abyss-lurking atmospherics that drop some really angular twists in. Whatever Strychnos are trying to do, they do it magnificently and offer a majestic new opus of truly wonderful music.

A genuinely astounding album that will leave you breathless and starving for more. The evil is turned up to eleven and the balance of Black and Death Metal is in perfect harmony; giving brutality, demonic lust and metallic savagery in equal measures. A furiously engrossing listen that spans so many vibrant ideas while a blackened flame burns to embody the edifice of real Extreme Metal. Strychnos is a destructive force to be reckoned with; so stand with them as they obliterate all that is holy or be decimated by them, the choice is yours…