Year: 2021
Total Time: 41:36
Label: Debemur Morti Productions

It took three years for the kings of Blackened Death Metal or War Metal (as it is named by many), to return with a new record. The title of the album is “Worship The Eternal Darkness” and once again, it is a blasphemous creation by ARCHGOAT. Although the band has been active since 1991, they have released their debut in 2006, as they had (and still have) a personal “old school” view for the music industry. A band that along with the mighty BLASPHEMY belongs to the fathers of War Metal, but unfortunately, only the Finns continue to release music as the Canadians are consumed in their dozen projects, with each one of their new releases creating buzz in extreme metal circles.

“Worship The Eternal Darkness” is their fifth full length, and it comes after “The Luciferian Crown”, which was released in 2018. An album that personally disappointed me a little bit, having in mind the high expectations we have from ARCHGOAT. So, I was very curious about how ARCHGOAT would sound with their new album, as Blackened Death Metal does not leave much room for experimentation, with repetition and chaotic sound being its main characteristics.

Since the announcement of “Worship The Eternal Darkness” release, the first clue that made me feel that we will have ARCHGOAT’s dynamic return was the fact that the album was recorded in just two days! Truly “old school” feeling, which in the past have given us amazing records in our favorite music. The confirmation of this instinctive feeling was confirmed by listening to “Worship The Eternal Darkness”, as the band may be move in its familiar sound layers, but they have added some new elements to their music, sounding refreshed.The compositions move closer to Black Metal, while the Finns have added elements of Thrash and classic Heavy Metal. Such example is “Rats Pray God”, which has some Punk influences as well, being like you listen to VENOM playing War Metal… an awesome composition and a great song for live concerts, having also keyboards which fit perfectly in their music!

The album is of course barbaric and brutal in its majority with violent compositions such as “Heavens Ablaze”, “Black Womb Gnosis” and “Blessed in the Light of Lucifer”, whose breakdown resurrects the dead. In the chorus of the title song, the Finns show us that groove is also incorporated into War Metal, while the mid-tempo “Burial of Creation” and “All Christianity Ends”, with the bells and samples, sound nightmarish and proves band’s triumph in mid-tempo rhythms. So, ARCHGOAT releases one of this year’s best records, many characterize it as the best album in the band’s discography. An opinion that may not be far from truth, but it is still too early to say it. The diehard fans have already been lost in the magical and dark atmosphere of “Worship The Eternal Darkness”, while those of you who haven’t heard of them before, this album is ideal to do it! A band that even after so many years remains faithful to its principles and the underground with every release, giving birth into an eerie and blasphemous art form.

Rating: 8,5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: ARCHGOAT – Facebook Page