Review by Alex on December 14, 2019.

Hexekration Rites put out their debut EP Desekration Manifesto on November 27th and easily gained attention. It's not hard to understand why this was so after listening to this multilayered monolith of desolation. The French duo arrived wielding multiple weapons in their arsenal thus linking them to an exclusive genre was near impossible. Their sound is identifiably black/death metal but their techniques span the genres darkest paths during the 5 track event. For such a short record Hexekration Rites made best of their time and instead of chaining themselves to limitations, extended their reach in preparing a deeper sort of black death metal.

Simultaneously ritualistic and barbaric, Desekration Manifesto plays like a wise onlooker carefully assessing the battlefield before the initial strike. With 'Ouverture' setting the scene, 'The Altar of Madness' develops the already bleak and condemned sound into a Scandinavian-esque black metal parade then morphed with the militaristic drumming and screeching guitar intonations of 'Necrotriumph'. It's here the comparisons and influences slowly begin to creep in as you can definitely hear the fatiguing vocals and stringed patterns of Watain and perhaps even some Negative Plane (composition-wise).

Amidst all this quarreling frenzy sits a drumming that gradually builds its climax moving from steady mid-paced-pounding to savage whacks at the kit giving the march direction and purpose. From 'Blazing Purification' through 'Ascension', that tempo, that climax is multiplied and seems to have erupted, a crescendo of nature, a volcanic landslide of hate, immobilizing the linear pathways of a genre saturated. The final tracks evoke a tension ever building like a Valaraukar demonian sighting, these songs project a sorcery weaponized and fully developed to assault the listener and instill a feeling of trepidation. Hexekration Rites approached the scene with mouth open wide, positioned to swallow and eat the entrails of this deflowered genre. They bring more than the routine echoes of legends past and present, its all here, war metal, heavy metal, black/death metal, 1st and 2nd wave witchery and dissonance for the hungry to fill their bowels with.

Atavism Records have with them an entity bound to swell and burst within the workings of black/death metal; though rudiment for now, much is expected for the follow up. New bands generally take baby steps, Hexekration Rites take monstrous leaps. The competition level just went up, it will be interesting to see if any band/s challenge and manage to outdo Desekration Manifesto.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 14, 2019.

Hexekration Rites put out their debut EP Desekration Manifesto on November 27th and easily gained attention. It's not hard to understand why this was so after listening to this multilayered monolith of desolation. The French duo arrived wielding multiple weapons in their arsenal thus linking them to an exclusive genre was near impossible. Their sound is identifiably black/death metal but their techniques span the genres darkest paths during the 5 track event. For such a short record Hexekration Rites made best of their time and instead of chaining themselves to limitations, extended their reach in preparing a deeper sort of black death metal.

Simultaneously ritualistic and barbaric, Desekration Manifesto plays like a wise onlooker carefully assessing the battlefield before the initial strike. With 'Ouverture' setting the scene, 'The Altar of Madness' develops the already bleak and condemned sound into a Scandinavian-esque black metal parade then morphed with the militaristic drumming and screeching guitar intonations of 'Necrotriumph'. It's here the comparisons and influences slowly begin to creep in as you can definitely hear the fatiguing vocals and stringed patterns of Watain and perhaps even some Negative Plane (composition-wise).

Amidst all this quarreling frenzy sits a drumming that gradually builds its climax moving from steady mid-paced-pounding to savage whacks at the kit giving the march direction and purpose. From 'Blazing Purification' through 'Ascension', that tempo, that climax is multiplied and seems to have erupted, a crescendo of nature, a volcanic landslide of hate, immobilizing the linear pathways of a genre saturated. The final tracks evoke a tension ever building like a Valaraukar demonian sighting, these songs project a sorcery weaponized and fully developed to assault the listener and instill a feeling of trepidation. Hexekration Rites approached the scene with mouth open wide, positioned to swallow and eat the entrails of this deflowered genre. They bring more than the routine echoes of legends past and present, its all here, war metal, heavy metal, black/death metal, 1st and 2nd wave witchery and dissonance for the hungry to fill their bowels with.

Atavism Records have with them an entity bound to swell and burst within the workings of black/death metal; though rudiment for now, much is expected for the follow up. New bands generally take baby steps, Hexekration Rites take monstrous leaps. The competition level just went up, it will be interesting to see if any band/s challenge and manage to outdo Desekration Manifesto.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Tara on February 6, 2017.

If you're any sort of extreme metal fan and aren't familiar with Dark Descent Records, get yourself acquainted with them real fast. The label has been steadily churning out stellar releases as of late from bands such as Krypts, Blood Incantation, Horrendous, and Crypt Sermon to name a few. For me, they've been the "it" label when it comes to death metal. To add even more substance to the label's already mammoth roster, Finnish death metallers Gorephilia's long awaited sophomore release Severe Monolith drops in March.

Severe Monolith is a total homage to the old school American death metal sound, drawing plenty of influences from the likes of early Morbid Angel and Immolation. There are no songs that stick out more than others. In fact, all the tracks seem to blend together which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  This is an album best enjoyed as a whole and there's plenty going on to keep one's interest throughout its entirety.

What Gorephilia have done here is managed to create a highly enjoyable death metal album. Sure, this particular sound and style have been done before but that doesn't make the final product here any less effective. The band is new to me but after spinning Severe Monolith several times, I understand why long time fans have been anxiously waiting for this one.

Review by Tara on February 6, 2017.

If you're any sort of extreme metal fan and aren't familiar with Dark Descent Records, get yourself acquainted with them real fast. The label has been steadily churning out stellar releases as of late from bands such as Krypts, Blood Incantation, Horrendous, and Crypt Sermon to name a few. For me, they've been the "it" label when it comes to death metal. To add even more substance to the label's already mammoth roster, Finnish death metallers Gorephilia's long awaited sophomore release Severe Monolith drops in March.

Severe Monolith is a total homage to the old school American death metal sound, drawing plenty of influences from the likes of early Morbid Angel and Immolation. There are no songs that stick out more than others. In fact, all the tracks seem to blend together which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  This is an album best enjoyed as a whole and there's plenty going on to keep one's interest throughout its entirety.

What Gorephilia have done here is managed to create a highly enjoyable death metal album. Sure, this particular sound and style have been done before but that doesn't make the final product here any less effective. The band is new to me but after spinning Severe Monolith several times, I understand why long time fans have been anxiously waiting for this one.