Review: Goatscorge – Wrath of Heaven
From the Crypt Review
Goatscorge – Wrath of Heaven
Sneeuwstorm Producties, 2022.
Black metal is not for everybody. War metal (also known as bestial black metal) is even
less so. Arguably finding its roots in Brazilian first wave black metal band Sarcofago’s early
releases (most notably, 1987’s I.N.R.I.), war metal’s blueprint sound was laid by such acts as
Blasphemy and Beherit. In short, war metal combines the blackest of black metal with the low-
end brutality of death metal and the chaotic noise of grindcore. In my mind, it’s about as
extreme as extreme metal gets, both in terms of its horrifying imagery and its over-the-top sonic
violence. And yet, even this style of black metal has its representatives in the Christian metal
scene, believe it or not. Bands like Lucifer Impaled, Nuclear Blaze and Satan Destroyer have all
given a holy spin on the style, but it is arguably Goatscorge that stands out to me the most.
A one-man project of Nocturnal Servant (also of What Brings Ruin and Ritual at
Golgotha, amongst many others), Goatscorge first made its presence felt in 2019 with the single
(or should I say, first volley?) “Lacerate the Goat.” After several albums and singles, we come to
Wrath of Heaven, sadly the final onslaught of the project. But what a send-off!
If you’re familiar already with Goatscorge (and war metal’s approach in general), you
know what to expect. If you’re not familiar, let me give you a brief tour. Beginning and ending
with the haunting ambience and ultra-low spoken words of “Paul the Apostle Speaks, Part I,”
what follows is utter carnage. If you’re someone who misses (and perhaps relishes) the sounds
of the old-school when it comes to black metal (I’m talking 80’s and very early 90’s), Goatscorge
delivers it all up in spades. Wrath of Heaven is primitive, raw and singularly intent on
annihilating your ear drums with its repetitive, all-consuming assault.
“Hellshrine Desecration” sounds like a lost Darkthrone track on speed, but you’re quickly
alerted to the fact that Goatscorge’s approach is a different one entirely by the ominous and
deep vocal style. Frankly, it’s unnerving. “Crushed Underfoot by the Triune War God” falters a
little with its repetitive (even by this style’s standards) riffing, but the momentum is sent into full-
on nuclear mode with “Slithering Serpent Deathstrike.” This is black metal with weight that hits
like an artillery strike. Nocturnal Servant’s vocals on this track and following shift into a full-on
pitch-shifted roar/bark that is, for lack of a better word, terrifying. Backed by the relentlessly
pounding drums, barbed-wire riffing and the constant roar of vocal shrapnel, the listener can be
forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief when they hear the ambient closer, “Paul the Apostle
Speaks, Part II.” The problem is, this closer is about as comforting as looking out over a still-
smoking battlefield.
With Wrath of Heaven, Goatscorge have managed to create the sonic equivalent of a
scorched-earth policy. Only a few, due to the nature of this style, will even find it enjoyable, not
to mention listenable. That said, the more daring headbangers out there will find plenty to enjoy
here.
For Fans Of: Lucifer Impaled, Nuclear Blaze, Bestial Warlust, Beherit (early), Blasphemy
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