PERDITION TEMPLE – sacraments of descension – CD

Death Metal – Hells Headbangers

Such lineup changes would prove dizzying for most bands, but PERDITION TEMPLE aren’t like “most bands.” For them, only iron-fisted death metal exists: no more, no less, straightforward but by no means simple. Blackened are their ways, and PERDITION TEMPLE continue their conquest with Sacraments of Descension. Picking up where The Tempter’s Victorious left oft – literally wasting no time, as the album kicks in immediately, with no fanfare nor adornment – this militant ‘n’ malevolent tornado of souls consumes fully all who approach. The power-trio format is almost too perfect for PERDITION TEMPLE, as they peal off with precision one surging, contorting attack after another, their crush chaotic yet controlled; one could easily argue that Sacraments of Descension is the sound of the band at their tightest. Not to be outdone, ever, Palubicki puts on a clinic of demented soloing here, his demonic six-string conjurings invoking a hysteria that would be Hell personified if not for the preternatural grace he displays across those very, bloodstained strings (he also assumes vocal duties again, as he did for Edict of the Antichrist). Of especial note is the album’s production: Sacraments of Descension was recorded between September and October 2019 at Audial Warfare, Very Metal Sound, and M.A.D.F. Studios, with mixing & mastering handled by Jarrett Pritchard (1349, Goatwhore, Nocturnus A.D.) at New Constellation.