Twisting, tormenting and utterly agonizing riffs can be heard throughout Diabolic Oath's newest sonically extreme occult offering titled, ““Unholy Barbaric Hymns.” The sadistic blackened death metal horde from Portland, OR has definitely established themselves as a profane force with their punishing style of unorthodox brutality
Teaming up with Sentient Ruin for the release of this four song EP, the band continues to push the boundaries by hammering out some insanely dynamic and decimating arrangements. As much as you can hear a variety of influences from the abhorrent atmospheres of savage 90's black metal with the bestial riffage of gruesome death metal, the band has truly achieved a unique and almost inhuman sound. I personally was a huge fan of their debut album, “Profane Death Exodus,” and feel as though the band has not disappointed with their following releases ever since putting that album out.
Although there are only four songs, the music is extremely enthralling by pulling you into this entropic soundscape of insidious proportions. Arguably some of the most intense riffs and drumming can be heard from Diabolic Oath on this release, especially once the opening song “Emblazoned Upon Ebony Winds,” kicks into full gear. The drumming on this album really hits hard to compliment the monstrous riffs as well as the demonic vocals. I really like the mix of low death growls with the more black metal style cries, because the contrast created a very pestilent atmosphere. The second track, “Radiant Mars, Reveal the Spear of War,” is a insanely deafening song with a cataclysmic introduction composition to make you feel as though you are being violently are thrown into a barbaric battlefield. At the end of the song, the music takes on a very haunting turn, and the transition from the extreme sounding punishment to a surrealistic atmosphere really strengthens the band’s mind altering approach to crafting songs.
The third song, “Within the Jaws of Lecherous Fire,” once again delves into the blackened death madness with more sanity shredding riffs. I thought the bombastically primitive sounding drum parts towards the end of the song added a profound touch to the track. On the final song, “Vomiting Flames in Rapturous Conflagration,” the band starts out with a more doom like style, but eventually jumps into the dissonant fires of hell by conjuring up more gruesome blackened death arrangements . In terms of the production, I think all the four songs were recorded extremely well, and really whoever mixed the release vividly captured the band’s uncompromising and unorthodox style. I don’t think there was one weak moment on this release, and the musicianship definitely played a part as to why the tracks sounded undeniably solid.
“Unholy Barbaric Hymns” from Diabolic Oath is definitely a release that fans of blackened death metal should checkout, especially if you enjoy a band that knows how to craft ritualistic like atmospheres with some sadistic arrangements. I looked to when this album is release via Sentient Ruin on June 5ht, as the label has always been a champion for extremely talented underground acts. After hearing this new EP, I am highly anticipating a full-length from Diabolic Oath given the level of musicianship and malevolent creatively that they were able to capture on this release.
Check out the track "Emblazoned Upon Ebony Winds" below:
Sentient Ruin Bandcamp:
https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/
Diabolic Oath Bandcamp:
https://diabolicoath.bandcamp.com/album/unholy-barbaric-hymns
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