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From the first moments of Cycle of Death, it’s clear that DEUS SABAOTH knows what they’re doing. This debut album hits that sweet spot in melodic black metal - gritty enough to keep its teeth but layered with the kind of melodies that pull you deeper into its bleak world. It’s the kind of record that feels confident without being overly polished, a solid statement for a band just getting started.
Melodic black metal is all about contrast. That tension between chaos and order, rawness and refinement - it’s what makes the genre work. DEUS SABAOTH leans into this in a way that feels natural. The guitars are sharp and biting, yet there’s an underlying flow to the riffs that keeps things moving. They don’t just bludgeon you with noise; they build something out of it. Occasionally, you can hear those Baroque influences peeking through - not in an obvious, showy way but in how the melodies and progressions feel purposeful. It’s subtle, but it adds something special.
The production is pretty balanced. It doesn’t have that ultra-raw, lo-fi sound some black metal fans swear by, but it’s not squeaky clean either. It sits in this middle ground where the details - those little melodic flourishes or shifts in rhythm - come through without losing that cold, metallic edge. The vocals, meanwhile, are classic black metal: harsh, guttural, and relentless. They won’t win over anyone who isn’t already into this style, but for fans of the genre, they fit perfectly.
Every track feels connected, part of this bigger, oppressive whole. You’re not just listening to a collection of songs; it feels like a single descent into darkness. That said, it can get a bit repetitive. There aren’t many surprises once you’ve gotten a feel for what the band is going for. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make you wonder what they might do next - if they’ll push these ideas even further or start experimenting a bit more.
Lyrically, the themes are heavy. Religion, death, isolation - it’s all there. Even if you’re not catching every word, you can feel it in the music. There’s a weight to it that sticks with you. It’s not the kind of album you throw on in the background. You sit with it, let it get under your skin.
So, is it perfect? No. But that’s part of its charm. It’s raw in the right ways, polished enough to stand out, and deeply rooted in its genre without feeling like a rehash. For a debut, Cycle of Death is impressive. You can tell these musicians have been building towards this for a while. And if this is where they’re starting, I wouldn’t be surprised if their next release takes things even further.
https://www.instagram.com/deus.sabaoth_band/
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR.