Symphony of Heaven \u2013 Ordo Aurum Archeia <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Return to Dust Promotions) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The long \u2013awaited third album from Symphony of Heaven shows the band consistently stretching themselves to new heights. One thing listeners will notice right out of the hatch this time is just how immaculate the production is. Sure, this is still blackened death metal, but the production is crisp and clear. Each instrument can be heard, and your ears will definitely want to hear this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a short instrumental, the band kicks into \u201cArcheia,\u201d a brutal track that pulverizes with speedy riffs, and yet is not without melodic moments. And I daresay that I can actually understand some of the vocals\u2014a rarity in this style of metal! \u201cWith Sword and Spear\u201d draws on some of the symphonic ambience of the opening track and then busts into another upbeat track. This one almost feels like prog\/power metal at times but still with Logan Thompson\u2019s signature growl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next up is \u201cThe Hunter,\u201d which opens with a cinematic spoken intro, followed by some really nice riffing\u2014melodic, yet bleak. The riffing is in a slightly more classic black metal style. \u201cSerenity\u2019s Embrace\u201d is another progressive track. It\u2019s entirely instrumental and features a lengthy, melodic guitar solo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAway with the Atheists\u201d opens with a clean, melodic guitar riff accompanied by some chunky rhythmic undertones and Mason Beard\u2019s steady blasting on the drums. Parts of this song remind me of 2000s Dismember or Dissection. Points of reference in the Christian realm might be Antestor\u2019s \u201cOmens\u201d albums or some of A Hill to Die Upon\u2019s material. \u201cPortent of Flame\u201d picks up the pace again, thrashing and blasting through a lengthy 6-minute track. This song really shows what the band is good at\u2014seamlessly blending the brutality of death metal and the bleakness of black metal, yet underpinning it all with a sense of melodic songcraft. In fact, the melodic outro reminds me a little of the lengthy closing riff on Trouble\u2019s classic \u201cAll is Forgiven.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Anger\u2019s Midst\u201d is probably the most straight-forward track so far, except that the brutally heavy riff is accompanied by symphonic keyboards and choir voices. It\u2019s a strangely effective technique. Closing out the album is \u201cNomad,\u201d a cover from the Brazilian metal band Sepultura. As such, it has a different feel from the rest of the album, having more of a thrash feel with hints of death metal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What we have here is a top-quality extreme metal band who is at the top of their game. Symphony of Heaven is *almost* without peer in this style and at this level of quality. There are few bands in the Christian scene playing at this level of quality and in this style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n