Review by Nathan on February 20, 2020.

This band’s got an interesting trajectory - they were basically known as Those Who Lie Beneath in a previous incarnation and had the hilarious distinction of being signed to a Christian label, Rise Reocrds, and I remember seeing one of their members wearing an Immolation shirt in a music video. Something tells me they don't vet the beliefs of band members too thoroughly. Either way, you could definitely tell that they had chops back then - there were just way too many gravity blasts going on in that band for them to be considered an official part of the Christian metalcore family.

There was a bit too much of a swoopy-haired aesthetic with their previous version of the band, however, and I think they've just acknowledged that and decided to reinvent themselves. To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice is a menacing angry as fuck death metal album that doesn't know what the term "melody" means, instead choosing to create entire songs out of Hate Eternal-style spastic nonriffs in a way that Hate Eternal themselves couldn't even pull off. This is...tense. I know I use that adjective a lot in reviews, but it's more evident on To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice than any other album I've heard. The drummer seems to negate all sense of groove, playing constant double-bass in a mechanical, hyper fast sort of way that clearly shows the guys has ability, but just want to make absolute sure you don't remember any of the riffs, or can barely even make them out - I don't think I've ever heard a drum performance that I could describe as "suffocating", but there you have it. The music in general gives you very little time to breathe - when they're not smashing you into smithereens with a rapid, dissonant strum over a hyper fast double-kick, they're probably just hanging on a really nasty chord and letting you hang there, like a rollercoaster that pauses for juuuust a couple seconds before the big drop. The vocals are the greatest holdover from the band's deathcore days, being the type of throaty roar that you hear more commonly in that style, but the humanity in his anger gives this a bit more of an accessible edge, where with a vocal performance that tried to wander off and do more things, you'd risk losing me with music that's already this linear and all over the place.

I can't say whether or not I enjoy the pulverizing experience that To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice offers while it's on, but I can say that this is an album that 100% nailed the atmosphere it was going for. This is a terrifying, harrowing album that throws as much chaos as it possibly can at you and dares you to listen to it all the way through. Do I vibe out to this or headbang or anything like that? No, not really. Am I thoroughly engaged and paying attention to the music the entire time? Absolutely - the music is meant to completely take over your senses until you can't tolerate it anymore, while maybe baiting you in with a little bit of foreboding dread. It's a perfect album, but it may not be the perfect album for me. I can still definitely appreciate this for what it is, though, and check it out if you're a fan of death metal that's excessively dissonant and overstimulating - any of you out there?

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Nathan on February 20, 2020.

This band’s got an interesting trajectory - they were basically known as Those Who Lie Beneath in a previous incarnation and had the hilarious distinction of being signed to a Christian label, Rise Reocrds, and I remember seeing one of their members wearing an Immolation shirt in a music video. Something tells me they don't vet the beliefs of band members too thoroughly. Either way, you could definitely tell that they had chops back then - there were just way too many gravity blasts going on in that band for them to be considered an official part of the Christian metalcore family.

There was a bit too much of a swoopy-haired aesthetic with their previous version of the band, however, and I think they've just acknowledged that and decided to reinvent themselves. To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice is a menacing angry as fuck death metal album that doesn't know what the term "melody" means, instead choosing to create entire songs out of Hate Eternal-style spastic nonriffs in a way that Hate Eternal themselves couldn't even pull off. This is...tense. I know I use that adjective a lot in reviews, but it's more evident on To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice than any other album I've heard. The drummer seems to negate all sense of groove, playing constant double-bass in a mechanical, hyper fast sort of way that clearly shows the guys has ability, but just want to make absolute sure you don't remember any of the riffs, or can barely even make them out - I don't think I've ever heard a drum performance that I could describe as "suffocating", but there you have it. The music in general gives you very little time to breathe - when they're not smashing you into smithereens with a rapid, dissonant strum over a hyper fast double-kick, they're probably just hanging on a really nasty chord and letting you hang there, like a rollercoaster that pauses for juuuust a couple seconds before the big drop. The vocals are the greatest holdover from the band's deathcore days, being the type of throaty roar that you hear more commonly in that style, but the humanity in his anger gives this a bit more of an accessible edge, where with a vocal performance that tried to wander off and do more things, you'd risk losing me with music that's already this linear and all over the place.

I can't say whether or not I enjoy the pulverizing experience that To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice offers while it's on, but I can say that this is an album that 100% nailed the atmosphere it was going for. This is a terrifying, harrowing album that throws as much chaos as it possibly can at you and dares you to listen to it all the way through. Do I vibe out to this or headbang or anything like that? No, not really. Am I thoroughly engaged and paying attention to the music the entire time? Absolutely - the music is meant to completely take over your senses until you can't tolerate it anymore, while maybe baiting you in with a little bit of foreboding dread. It's a perfect album, but it may not be the perfect album for me. I can still definitely appreciate this for what it is, though, and check it out if you're a fan of death metal that's excessively dissonant and overstimulating - any of you out there?

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on July 2, 2019.

I have often summoned the thought of encountering a "musical" effort that would not only be ripe with fury but also boast a decent level of fright. Something that would be different from what I have already encountered yet still have the recognizable traits of the genre. Cult of Extinction has danced with that which I speak of, in delivering a bone chilling, yet bellicose escapade, Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light. Though not as potent as I would like it to be, it surely makes a confident stride towards achieving exhilaration, fear and belligerence in one run. This 32-minute process of spiritual cruelty in the shape of Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light, does not exclude atmosphere when trying to encompass the listener whilst conjuring nightmarish images of parasitic spiritual warfare. 

Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light excites and arouses the listener/s thoughts and its bestial nature is mantled by unsettling musicianship in all aspects. This is an evil, unnerving piece of material, a record that not only accomplishes a fearful atmosphere, but is not reluctant to spar viciously with black/death metal bestiality, therefore, displaying a combative drum, guitar and inhuman vocal performance. It is bathed in spiritual warfare, the vocalist sounds as though multiple numinous forces are at war with each other, with aim of acquiring a human vessel. Like multiple diabolic entities forcing their way into one existing body, Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light channels indiscreet hostility from beginning to end even during slower moments, no compromises! I’m impressed with the drumming to a great degree, hence it is arguably the key to making Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light a rancorous awakening, along with the barbarous vocal exhibition. The eruptive snare and cymbal throbbing, screeching guitar riffs and possessed-sounding throats all have the characteristics of the bestial “war metal” genre; however, it's the atmosphere that makes this a terrifying experience. Thing is, alongside the furious galloping frenzy, lies an uneasiness manifesting on all sessions. An uneasiness that would meet a sinister climax half-way through the recordings; Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light jumps out, bringing to life a potent feeling of trepidation with an almost surreal and visceral sample in machinating with “Possessed by a Servant of Iblis”.  

NB: The opening power-chords on “Possessed by a Servant of Iblis”; hearing it on a second instance when knowing what follows, raises the frightening effect of the exorcism sample.  

I’ve encountered a fair deal of that kind of thing back home in South America by both frequent word of mouth and as a witness; yes some of it was a load of antics used by the “holy” church to amplify fear among the sheeple congregations; however, there was one instance I recall which proved to be troubling for a short period (in retrospect), though seemingly lengthy at the time; unlike other occurrences that appeared scripted, this event was agitating. 

“Possessed by a Servant of Iblis” captures the surrealism of seeing an occurrence of such nature. Don't know where they got that sample from, but does it raise hairs. Sounds like an exorcism is taking place just next door. It builds an uneasiness, a looming air of discomfort that coats the record. And speaking of discomfort, “The Descent” appears heavily influenced by black metal in the likes of Pa Vesh En; yet, still accompanying the interlude of sorts, is an unyielding weight of aggression and fear, further enforcing the bestiality already dominant on Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light. As a warning, the album cover is enough, looks like a congregation of malefic entities swarming, whilst awaiting the entrance-opening leading to the nucleus of a physical vessel. Or thousands of morbid souls already existing within one shell fighting for permanent control; either way, much credit to the artist responsible in being able to portray this chaotic scene as a representation of the music. 

I understand the driving force behind Cult of Extinction; 'Void', is involved in numerous metal projects, thus Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light has risen my eagerness to hear what other workings he has developed within them. Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light is both a spiritual and militant transmission, one that awakens to the challenge of bestial metal transcendence.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 

Review by Nathan on February 20, 2020.

This band’s got an interesting trajectory - they were basically known as Those Who Lie Beneath in a previous incarnation and had the hilarious distinction of being signed to a Christian label, Rise Reocrds, and I remember seeing one of their members wearing an Immolation shirt in a music video. Something tells me they don't vet the beliefs of band members too thoroughly. Either way, you could definitely tell that they had chops back then - there were just way too many gravity blasts going on in that band for them to be considered an official part of the Christian metalcore family.

There was a bit too much of a swoopy-haired aesthetic with their previous version of the band, however, and I think they've just acknowledged that and decided to reinvent themselves. To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice is a menacing angry as fuck death metal album that doesn't know what the term "melody" means, instead choosing to create entire songs out of Hate Eternal-style spastic nonriffs in a way that Hate Eternal themselves couldn't even pull off. This is...tense. I know I use that adjective a lot in reviews, but it's more evident on To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice than any other album I've heard. The drummer seems to negate all sense of groove, playing constant double-bass in a mechanical, hyper fast sort of way that clearly shows the guys has ability, but just want to make absolute sure you don't remember any of the riffs, or can barely even make them out - I don't think I've ever heard a drum performance that I could describe as "suffocating", but there you have it. The music in general gives you very little time to breathe - when they're not smashing you into smithereens with a rapid, dissonant strum over a hyper fast double-kick, they're probably just hanging on a really nasty chord and letting you hang there, like a rollercoaster that pauses for juuuust a couple seconds before the big drop. The vocals are the greatest holdover from the band's deathcore days, being the type of throaty roar that you hear more commonly in that style, but the humanity in his anger gives this a bit more of an accessible edge, where with a vocal performance that tried to wander off and do more things, you'd risk losing me with music that's already this linear and all over the place.

I can't say whether or not I enjoy the pulverizing experience that To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice offers while it's on, but I can say that this is an album that 100% nailed the atmosphere it was going for. This is a terrifying, harrowing album that throws as much chaos as it possibly can at you and dares you to listen to it all the way through. Do I vibe out to this or headbang or anything like that? No, not really. Am I thoroughly engaged and paying attention to the music the entire time? Absolutely - the music is meant to completely take over your senses until you can't tolerate it anymore, while maybe baiting you in with a little bit of foreboding dread. It's a perfect album, but it may not be the perfect album for me. I can still definitely appreciate this for what it is, though, and check it out if you're a fan of death metal that's excessively dissonant and overstimulating - any of you out there?

Rating: 7.5 out of 10