Sacrilegia - Official Website


The Triclavian Advent

Ireland Country of Origin: Ireland

1. Relics Of Oncoming Doom
2. Beyond The Fouler's Snare
3. Bloodstained
4. On Herding Of Swine
5. Armoured Angel (Armoured Angel Cover)
6. The Unhallowed
7. Unheeded Warnings
8. As With Spears We Come

Review by Felix on November 4, 2021.

Ireland is no big player when it comes to metal exports. Or does my music radar just don’t work flawlessly? Anyway, Irish bands have an exotic status in my record collection. To change the situation at least marginally, I decided to buy Sacrilegia’s debut from 2019 and, almost more important, I will fly to Dublin in order to check the scene on site. (Don’t believe a word. I’m just going on a tourist trip with the most beautiful woman I know. But in the context of the general topic of Encyclopaedia Metallum, the first statement lends me more credibility – hopefully. So please keep the real reason for the trip to yourself. Thanks a lot.)

The Triclavian Advent constitutes a dark manifesto and it reveals a source of inspiration for Sacrilegia. They cover the band anthem of Armoured Angel and this track fits very well with their own songs. But maybe not all of you are familiar with the vicious material of the semi-legendary Australians. If this is the case, you should change this situation immediately by watching their “Enigmatize” video on YT – that’s the least I expect. By the way, the best way to watch it is together with a lovely woman lying naked next to you in bed. I speak from experience. But sorry, I am rambling. Let’s turn the focus on The Triclavian Advent again. I said that 'Armoured Angel' blends seamlessly with the other songs, but please be aware that it was one of the faster tracks of the eponymous band.

Expressed differently: unlike the Australians, the dudes from Sacrilegia understand high velocity as an essential ingredient of their black thrash cocktail. Of course, they do not focus on high speed exclusively, but they know the value of well executed tempo shifts. The low-tuned guitars celebrate horrifying harmonies and do not forget to integrate some tremolo picking from time to time, while the whipping drums motivate the entire unit to advance. 'Bloodstained' marks a prime example in this context. It’s going straightforward without neglecting to present some melodic fragments as well (emphasis on fragments, not on melodic). One thing is for sure, every comparatively mild sequence is quickly pushed aside by an aggressive and demanding section, not only in the aforementioned title. This rule is valid for the whole album. Nevertheless, 'Bloodstained' marks one of the most impressive tracks here, because its parts are forceful, merciless and highly effective. 'The Unhallowed' is another gem. Its opening riff drags the listener into the song in a matter of seconds. With full speed ahead, the duo masters every sequence in a breathtaking manner. Maybe Dublin based Sacrilegia have an affinity not only for Armoured Angel, but the extreme Australian scene in general, because just like the dudes from down under, they convey an extra portion of cold hatred and bitterness.

It may be that some very clever people find the mix of the album a bit too dull and somewhat undifferentiated. Even worse, these jerks are objectively right about that. But this does not interest the true lover of black thrash metal. This style is about energy and meanness, not about creating the most balanced sound ever. The Triclavian Advent may not be flawless, but for me the record has exactly the production that suits it well. It's like the little faults of a great woman - you love the woman anyway. (That's what I've been told, of course my girlfriend has no shortcomings.) As a result, I feel that a first review of this apparently under-appreciated album was overdue. Just like my first trip to Dublin. Oh, right now I see my girlfriend, whose wonderful hair is about as orange as a third of the Irish flag, waving the plane tickets. Here we go. Maybe I will find the rehearsal room of Sacrilegia, my new favorite band from Ireland… and now please excuse me for a few days!

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

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