Kev Rowland I was a huge fan of Azarath’s last album, ‘In Extremis’, so I was very pleased to see they had not taken as long to release a new one (which was my major complaint last time). In between times they have parted company with singer/guitarist Necrosodom, and founder Inferno (drums, Behemoth), guitarist Bart (Armagedon, Damnation) and bassist Peter (Lost Soul) have now been joined by lead vocalist/guitarist Skullripper (Embrional). They may have a new person at the front, but apart from that there is little in the way of change for the Black Metal onslaught which is Azarath. They have been pushing the Black Metal scene in Poland for more than 20 years, and they show no signs whatsoever of slowing down yet.

There are plenty of nods to death metal within their music, but it never takes over the blackness, and Skullripper’s vocals are perfectly suited to the role at hand. He is coarse and gruff, but his diction is also very clear, so one can understand what is going on, and the band do not veer into areas which are too atmospheric yet somehow keep it firmly within the BM style without stepping too far outside. The band are incredibly tight, which is what one would expect given that Bart joined Inferno in 2000 while Peter became part of the band in 2011, which means all Skullripper had to do was fit in the already existing trio. It is a huge sounding album, one which cries out to be played at very high volumes, with purpose and demonic intent all the way through. The guys consistently produce some of the best albums in the genre, and this one is simply essential.

Kev Rowland Azarath were formed in Poland by drummer Inferno (Behemoth) in 1998, initially as a trio, and immediately caught attention with their death/black metal assault. Over the years there have been some line-up changes, and currently Inferno is accompanied by Bart (Armagedon, Damnation) on guitars, Necrosodom (Anima Damnata, Deus Mortem, ex-Infernal War) on vocals and guitars, as well as Peter (ex-Lost Soul) on bass Their music has been described as a "demonic mutation of Krisiun and Behemoth with shades of Immolation", and their death metal has large amounts of black metal influences as well, straddling the genres and being masters of both. The only thing wrong with this album is that it has taken so long to arrive! It has been six years since the last album, and I really don’t want to wait another six years for the next one.

There are times, such as on “At The Gates of Understanding” where the attack is completely brutal, completely over the top, with frenetic drumming and riffs yet it still contains a black metal element that gives it a twist away from the normal and an additional touch of class. This is one of the most impressive albums of this style of music I have ever come across, and it is one that I have had real issues getting off my player so that I could listen to one of the many others that I had to review. This may be only forty minutes long, but is a masterpiece and absolutely essential