UPON THE ALTAR – Descendants of Evil

You can never really go wrong with an inhumanely brutal barrage of blackened death metal from Poland when it is released by the long-running Godz ov War Productions, and this eight-track juggernaut by Upon the Altar is a perfect example of a solid and perversely enjoyable listening experience.

The pure, undiluted darkness that these chaps vomit forth is nothing short of impressive and all-consuming, and despite the crushing edge and violent aura of the music, there is a good amount of variety to their punishing tunes not to mention several riffs and unnerving parts that jump at the listener and make you take notice. Check the thoroughly eerie vibe in what is arguably the album’s highlight, namely “Unholy Follows,” and just lean back and marvel at how suffocating, catchy, and evil said piece of filth is. Another highlight to these ears is the relentless assault titled “Malicious Holiness,” which attains something akin to a hypnotic atmosphere that is deeply unsettling. Speaking of unsettling, the vocals play a significant part in making Descendants of Evil stand out from what many other black and death metal outfits are doing; the vocals are simply downright frightening and intimidating, and they blend incredibly well with the music and are utilized as if they were an instrument. I am absolutely thrilled with how confident, determined, and excellently written this unhallowed audio blast is, and all you twisted fucks out there who revel in hyper-intense underground metal madness ought to listen to it.