Having formed in 2017, Germany’s death metal outfit Temple of Dread became well established in the modern scene of death metal. For three consecutive years, the band released two studio albums, and their newest album “Hades Unleashed” is now released via Testimony Records. Taking a further step to sound extremely intense, the songs are molded into rapid up-tempos while the drums throttle at full speed, riffs gallop, and stomp vigorously. The third album illustrates some sort of crossover between Exodus, Obituary, and Slayer. This extreme repertoire into retro death metal highlights the technical skills of the band. Continuing with the same lineup of Markus Bünnemeyer (guitars, bass), Jörg Uken (drums), and Jens Finger (vocals).

However, Temples of Dread infuses combustible elements of modern thrash metal. The opening track “Aithon’s Hunger” hits hard and heavy with thrashing riffs played fast and angry vocals commanding the wheel. The drums accelerate with double bass then switch to occasional blast beats, though the band follows its own formula resulting in fast-paced tempos. With all guns blazing “Necromanteion” is more diverse and much heavier with steering groovy sections. The track sounds more death metal than the previous one. Through shredding solos, pummeling drums you can hear some influences from early Slayer albums. Taking you on an energetic series of blast beats, the most indulgent element is the use of melodies.

Although nothing groundbreaking here, “Hades Unleashed” contains many vibrant rhythm sections. You could barely find a moment where the music cools, down and this is because of the consistent strikes of the drums and the stomping guitars. “Wrath of Gods (Furor Divinus)” is a ceaselessly energetic aggressive track the band conveys a powerful mixture of death/thrash metal. But as the song carries on, the band manages to impose its trademark sound. Temple of Dread managed to make each track sound different from another. Although some songs sound a bit identical, they still have a certain diversity to them.

The hellish fury of the vocals, battering drums and the shredding riffs on tracks like “Threefold Agony”, are overwhelming. The German brigade delivers plenty of action. The riffing style takes more of a death metal approach. At times the band sounds old-fashioned. With every track, the trio shows a forceful blend of aggression. For example: “Empyrean” comes cracking with the surging riffs. There is plenty of up-tempos that stimulants the dynamics of the energizing drums that are charged by swift beats. “Hades Unleashed” is certainly the band’s most aggressive powerful album. After the short hiatus, the trio was able to return with concise material.

This time, Temple of Dread has imbued the songs with Ancient Greek mythological characters. Tracks like “Crypts of the Gorgon” blazes into hyper blast beats. It is packed with shrieking vocals, growls, and screams. This song delivers an immense range of scathing riffs, although the style is somewhat reminiscent of retro death metal.

The band gives limited space for melodies. Their sound combines a huge wall of gigantic riffs. Even though I’m not too fond of such a style, I must admit that the German trio found their own niche. There is no question about the quality of the songwriting. The blitzkrieg bombardment of the drums on “Nefarious, I” offers hyper-paced driven guitars. The slow tempo contains some hooks. The cover album was designed by Paolo Girardi (Power Trip, Vastum, and Inquisition), who is known for his detailed gruesome work. However, the limited variations on songs like “Whore of Pompeii” have left me somewhat disappointed with the repetitive composition.

The final track “Procession to Tartarus” has a different vibe from the previous songs. It begins with a slow mid-tempo that contains some old-school elements that are loaded with slower-paced guitars, hammering drums, and vicious vocals. With gloomy rhythm guitars imbuing a bleak doom full sensation. Perhaps this gives us some kind of an indication of how the future albums will be. Overall “Hades Unleashed” is a groovy and aggressive death/thrash metal record that will take you on a thrilling ride. 

Release Date: July 23rd, 2021
Label: Testimony Records
Tracklist:

1. Aithon’s Hunger
2. Necromanteion
3. Wrath of the Gods (Furor Divinus)
4. Threefold Agony
5. Empyrean
6. Crypts of the Gorgon
7. Nefarious, I
8. Whores of Pompeii
9. Procession to Tartarus