Clocking at forty-one minutes, “Evenfall of the Apocalypse” which quite possibly unleashes a barrage of murky death metal, although the newest album isn’t too different from its predecessor. The opening track “Intro / Abhorrent Manifestation” begins with the rapid hail of fire erupting in a relentless drumming assault. The new album prompts a filthy and bestial direction akin to bands like Pissgrave, and early Morbid Angel in its most evil form. Ascended Dead doesn’t stray from the cacophonous and extreme death metal approach the solos on the album are overly ferocious, without sacrificing the band’s trademark style.

The riffing alternates between the chunky chords and rapid drums spicing up the tremolo pickings, “Nexus of the Black Flame” then opens with devastating violence and scathing death metal riffs becoming the driving force of this unhinged track. The frenzy growls of vocalist/guitarist Jon Reider sounds like he’s been possessed by a demon, his sinister barks reverberate off the walls of grimy riffs. The unvarying tone of Kevin Schreutelkamp’s bass guitar maintains a brutal vibe to the ripping blast beats of Charlie Koryn, having a drummer like him makes the songs very intense. The ten tracks sound rawer hence achieving a bestial and chaotic tone, the guitars keep songs like “Bestial Invasion” and “Tantum Bellum” sharp delivering blisteringly loud, and fast tempos backed by rapid-fire beats. Despite the destructive pace of the drums, the riffs sound evil, as there seems to be a greater emphasis on brutality.

Demonic growls bellowing out with relentless riffing the album is full of blistering fast paces, and the songwriting is way above the mediocrity. Other songs like “Inverted Ascension” gain momentum at a slower pace and never lose its intensity, barbaric growling and hellish atmosphere of the chunky riffs make the songs more appealing. There is a section midway through the song where the lead guitar unleashes a spicy melody that shows the skills of the guitarist Ian Lawrence. “The Curse / Enveloped in Thorns” is among the album’s fastest tracks, and drummer Charlie Koryn plays a fundamental role in providing extreme barbarity.

While some riffs are memorable they’re described as chaotic, Ascended Dead demonstrates its blasting ferocity through the dynamics that erupt and explode into a mass of cacophony. Therefore, the quartet makes itself distinct from the other death metal acts, despite the fact that some might compare the style to war metal, Ascended Dead delivers a punch in the gut. Even when listening to the album’s shortest tracks like “Visceral Strike” which takes a more abrasive tone, the band is capable of wreaking havoc.

Though the moments of brutality and evil bestiality are ultimately the band’s most prominent features on the album, the sense of disquiet seems to be painted with obscure and cold ambient strings that make the instrumental cut “Passage to Eternity” uniquely memorable. Perhaps the chilling acoustic guitars prompt a darker mood with the quality providing a breathless atmosphere and this is what gives the sophomore a unique element, though one can draw some similarities between Of Feather And Bone.

“Evenfall of the Apocalypse” is a fast fucking raw death metal record, strikingly hellish in its ferociousness and intensity. Ascended Dead eschews the modern sound of death metal the feral nature never ceases to ease even on the final song “Evenfall of the Apocalypse” and the album’s outro “Intransigent Blackness” focuses on powerful dynamics without following a predictable formula. The guitars convey raw piercing riffs backed by the crushing drums that dominate every minute of this song, with double bass and riffs like barbed wire you can detect the technical skills of the guitars and the top-notch drumming!

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