Review of Vrykolakas - Nocturnal Dominion of Death / Paragon Records | Satanath Records | Iron, Blood & Death Corp | Futhark Records

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As a long-time fan of Vrykolakas, the release of "Nocturnal Dominion of Death" is nothing short of a monumental event. I've followed this band since their debut album "Spawned from Hellfire and Brimstone".

This album feels like a culmination of all those years of blood, sweat, and sheer audial brutality. From the opening moments of the first track, I was transported back to the early days of discovering their raw, uncompromising sound. Yet, "Nocturnal Dominion of Death" is a bold statement of where Vrykolakas stands in the current metal landscape.

The first thing that struck me was how seamlessly they blend their myriad influences. You can hear the echoes of classic death metal, the sinister overtones of early black metal, and the frenetic energy of thrash and grindcore. Each track pulses with a life of its own, yet they all coalesce into a cohesive, devastating whole. It's clear that Vrykolakas has honed their songwriting process to perfection, allowing each song to emerge organically, guided by the ideas that sparked it.

The guitars roar with a ferocity that feels both familiar and fresh, weaving memorable riffs that are as complex as they are punishing. The drumming is relentless, providing a thunderous backbone that drives each track forward with unyielding power. And those growls - deep, guttural, and raw - convey a sense of primal rage and dark mysticism.

The production of this album deserves special mention. It's raw enough to capture the gritty essence of old-school death metal, yet polished enough to highlight the technical prowess of each band member. The sound is thick, oppressive, and immersive - exactly what you want from an album that explores death metal brutality.

For those of us who have been on this journey with Vrykolakas from the beginning, "Nocturnal Dominion of Death" is a triumphant affirmation of everything we love about the band. It's a brutal, unflinching exploration of the darker side of metal, delivered with the kind of passion and precision that only a band of this caliber can muster.

This album is a celebration of 33 years of unwavering dedication to death metal. If you've ever been a fan of old-school death metal, or if you simply appreciate the raw energy and dark allure of extreme metal, "Nocturnal Dominion of Death" is an absolute must-listen.

May they continue to reign supreme in the nocturnal dominion of death metal for many years to come.

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the promo materials!

Listen to the album here: ▶︎ 2024 - Nocturnal Dominion Of Death | VRYKOLAKAS (bandcamp.com)