DEATHHAMMER – crimson dawn – CD

DEATHHAMMER need no introduction. For 20 years strong, this insatiable Norwegian duo have seemingly been at the forefront of the still-burgeoning blackthrash movement; in fact, one could successfully argue that the band largely jumpstarted that resurgence and have continued to be its kings. However, “blackthrash” by definition undersells DEATHHAMMER’s irresistible (and irresistibly evil) charm: from 2010’s Phantom Knights cult debut album on to the furious pair of 2012’s Onward to the Pits and 2015’s Evil Power – both of which were released by HELLS HEADBANGERSto widespread international acclaim – sole members Sadomancer and Sergeant Salsten have steadfastly played both thrash metal AND black metal. But most importantly, DEATHHAMMER play HEAVY METAL – raging metal, evil metal, whatever you want to call it – and the next pair of 2018’s Chained to Hell and 2022’s Electric Warfare cemented that eternal metal magick.

As it goes in the DEATHHAMMER world, full-lengths may take some time – at least three years, sometimes four – but when they arrive, they remind the underground why these Norwegians are still so vital…and VIOLENT. Witness their sixth album, Crimson Dawn. Aptly titled, Crimson Dawn rips and rages with characteristically OTT power – a riot of violence, an expurse of sodomy, utterly infernal overkill – and the blood flows freely across Nordic snow. But, for however consistent DEATHHAMMER may be, it all underlines how stout and invigorating their songwriting is to begin with. Credit that to the duo’s unique interplay, both from a compositional and technical standpoint.

Recorded with all-new equipment, Crimson Dawn marks the first time Sadomancer and Sergeant Salsten played guitar on each other’s songs; prior to this record, the two would exclusively play guitar on the songs they each wrote. As a result, it all sounds like DEATHHAMMER but most definitely a more dynamic one, rendered all the more powerfully with their best drum production to date. The album was mixed by fellow maniac Arild M. Torp (NEKROMANTHEON / Abhorration) – “It sounds just as violent as we hoped for,” says Sadomancer – and he even rips a guest solo on “Legacy of Pain.” Other guests include Bowel Ripper of Impugner with a nasty solo on “Stygian Lust,” a track that has riffs dating back almost 20 years.

Above all, Crimson Dawn once again proves that DEATHHAMMER are able to play 666-megaton metal but skillfully show a variety of sides to it, from ultra-violent ragers to mid-tempo gallops to even “epic shit,” such as the truly-titled climactic closer “Into the Blackness of Hell.” CHILDREN OF THE CRIMSON DAWN – SPIT FORTH DAMNATION RITES!