Review by Jeger on December 6, 2024.

From the depths of His Infernal kingdom have UK's Heathen Deity emerged once more; offering benefactions of Diabolism's bounty. Black metal for the admonition of all that is holy and for the heralding of His blood red majestic throne. Great Daemons of the pit in danse to the diabolical symphony of true English black metal on this eve of Satanic reign. Let the unholy fanfare commence! For on this day, the pride of UKBM, Heathen Deity, have unveiled their sophomore LP, Satan's Kingdom, via the prestigious Cult Never Dies.

There's been much celebration to commemorate this album release, and from what I can hear, it is well deserved. Satan's Kingdom is no throwback to second wave legacy, but a contemporary work of dynamic yet dignified sensibilities. Satanic to its core and radiating His warm ecstatic energy through hearts impassioned as the titular track unfolds with raged melodicism - fevered and streamlined - tremolo riffs and blasts coursing over you at an inertia-inducing pace before gentle acoustics signal epic passages to come. An ode to the austerity of His Infernal Majesty and to His sovereignty o'er Hell and Earth. And it only gets better from here… The following track, 'Fucking Worthless' - a succulent mid-tempo'd dirge set to martial rhythms and forgivingly accessible riffing patterns that roll and soothe you into a gnostic state - ghastly vocalizations to wring your innards into knots. On a sole plateau of their own are Heathen Deity; outclassed by few and celebrated by many.

Blessed alternations between surging distortion and dreamlike acoustics keep you on abyss's edge for the duration of this album as you find yourself at the mercy of every unpredictable shift in tempo during gluttonous tracks like 'The Son Of Obscurity' that pack your gullet full of every element of genre-defining substance you can think of from ensnaring melodies to blast-founded scales and serpentine double-bass currents. An opus! Makes you wonder why this band hasn't released more albums, but such is oft the way within the realm of black metal: cult-like obscurity and a sense of intangibility beholden to only the truest of black metal collectives.

Satan's Kingdom sees Heathen Deity at their apex, and what a monumental acquisition for Cult Never Dies - a blood pact between two proud enterprising black metal conglomerates whose collective vision for the genre is one of integrity and prestige. A veteran's eye for genuine talent has Dayal Patterson whose ventures have proven fruitful to say the least, and bands like Heathen Deity carry the torch for genre trueness. An epic for the ages, a long-awaited grande affair and a sonic conduit for the power of Satan. Let it have its way now as you fall under His sway on this night of royal Satanic revelry. And may his kingdom reign forevermore…

Rating: 9.5 out of 10