Review by Felix on May 6, 2025.

Globalisation with all its risks and opportunities, is unstoppable. Nevertheless, there are still some national specifics. This applies at least to the worldwide metal community. As you surely know, Australia has established a very independent extreme metal scene. Its protagonists play an utterly intense combination of black metal and thrash. The glorious Deströyer 666 or the lesser-known Mongrel´s Cross must be mentioned in this context. Not surprisingly, Denouncement Pyre also belongs to the representatives of this extreme art from Down Under. Of course, these bands need a powerful production in order to make the full effect of their compositions come true. Fortunately, the here presented output bares its tremendous teeth. Its dense and malignant sound does not refer to the old school of the albums of the eighties, but makes full use of the modern techniques. Nevertheless, I am not talking about a sterile production which is lacking a soul. Nobody needs to be afraid that this album hails modernity as an end in itself.

Passion and vehemence are no foreign words for the band. The guys reveal additionally, a weakness for blasphemous melody lines that add the harmonic yet ironclad touch. As if this was not enough, Denouncement Pyre also have some mesmerizing parts in their repertoire. "An Extension of the Void", the first track after the fairly unnecessary intro, shows this clearly. Its instrumental second half is a hypnotizing sound collage whose evil aura grows constantly. As mentioned above, intensity is one of the crucial factors and the merciless riffing of this section leaves no doubt in that respect. Call it repetitive or protracted, but the effect of this approach should not be underestimated. Denouncement Pyre stakes its claim right from the get-go and the insensitive band does it in a ferocious yet calculated manner. Further highlights like "He Who Conquers All" and "Darkness Manifest" also leave no wishes open.

Although this part belongs to the best moments of "Almighty Arckanum", it goes without saying that I appreciate the fact that the second record of the formation is not a pure instrumental work. Admittedly, the raw lead vocals do not shape the sound of the group in a significant way and unique features are missing. But lead vocalist "D." delivers the usual amount of harshness and hostility. Therefore, he underlines the atmosphere of the music in an appropriate manner. Its negativity is not based on utterly violent compositions. The band is not interested in delivering the most extreme album of all times. These guys have another aim. While reaching a more than solid level of aggression, they add an extra dose of malignancy in order to create a murderous atmosphere, and they are successful, not least because of the almost excessive number of venomous riffs and leads. The listener is at risk of drowning in the roaring maelstrom that the musicians generate. Not only fans of Razor of Occam, another band that comes originally from Australia, should keep an eye on Denouncement Pyre.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10