Review by Alex on July 30, 2021.

Ophiuchus has had multiple playing sessions and with each time Iistened to, there is a manifestation of both satisfaction and exhaustion. Firstly, Dark Zodiak being a death metal band from Germany was enough to grab hold of my interest, take that and group it with the late 90s early 2000s death metal formula fetish the members have going on plus a damn good vocalist, there's not much that could have gone wrong in a perfect world. However, Dark Zodiak may have created an album that has an excessive run time as though they were trying to prove something that was already proven earlier on Ophiuchus.

The first set of tracks, 'Do More, Say Less', 'Invisible Apocalypse', 'Ophiuchus' and 'Humor' make it abundantly clear that the band are more than just good at their craft. Compositionally and instrumentally intelligent, and more so followable such as on the title track that segues gracefully into a tranquil guitar solo driven sector that expands and builds upon the death/thrash foundation of the song and eventually it's texture. Vocally impressive with front woman Simone unleashing monstrous growls, shrieks and squeals that is one of the main highlights of the album. Her dynamics and range are incredible, and they don't come off as forced, computerized or manipulated in anyway. When combined with the music, they sound necessary and thoughtful on the 7-minute track ('Ophiuchus') of death/thrash terror, hence there is a strong sense of compositional chemistry and harmony exhibited. Even through to the final installment 'Ignorance', the music holds up well and you'd have to really dig deep to nitpick at anything.

However, despite being a massive accomplishment for the band in terms of songwriting, they seem to have given too much than required. Therefore, by the time you've hit 'Total Freedom', you can't seem to dispell the feeling of being dragged to the end. '2020 A.D' would have been an excellent conclusion to Ophiuchus provided its once again flaring display of musicianship on all ends with much dynamics seamlessly woven into a succinct and comprehensive song. And though followed by 'Total Freedom' that again puts on a showing that is unforgettable as the guitars ascend and descend in pace as they transition to the lush and gigantic solo, it comes across as if Dark Zodiak are sweating to prove a point that has already been accounted for up the order and had never dissipated.

At the end of it all, Ophiuchus by Dark Zodiak is a must have for anyone who enjoys death/thrash metal of the late 90s to early 2000s; it's filled with memorable guitar solos, excellently syncopated drum patterns and a beast of a vocalist. A humble band that goes the extra mile to show sincerity and skill.

"Humor is a tender weapon"

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on July 30, 2021.

Ophiuchus has had multiple playing sessions and with each time Iistened to, there is a manifestation of both satisfaction and exhaustion. Firstly, Dark Zodiak being a death metal band from Germany was enough to grab hold of my interest, take that and group it with the late 90s early 2000s death metal formula fetish the members have going on plus a damn good vocalist, there's not much that could have gone wrong in a perfect world. However, Dark Zodiak may have created an album that has an excessive run time as though they were trying to prove something that was already proven earlier on Ophiuchus.

The first set of tracks, 'Do More, Say Less', 'Invisible Apocalypse', 'Ophiuchus' and 'Humor' make it abundantly clear that the band are more than just good at their craft. Compositionally and instrumentally intelligent, and more so followable such as on the title track that segues gracefully into a tranquil guitar solo driven sector that expands and builds upon the death/thrash foundation of the song and eventually it's texture. Vocally impressive with front woman Simone unleashing monstrous growls, shrieks and squeals that is one of the main highlights of the album. Her dynamics and range are incredible, and they don't come off as forced, computerized or manipulated in anyway. When combined with the music, they sound necessary and thoughtful on the 7-minute track ('Ophiuchus') of death/thrash terror, hence there is a strong sense of compositional chemistry and harmony exhibited. Even through to the final installment 'Ignorance', the music holds up well and you'd have to really dig deep to nitpick at anything.

However, despite being a massive accomplishment for the band in terms of songwriting, they seem to have given too much than required. Therefore, by the time you've hit 'Total Freedom', you can't seem to dispell the feeling of being dragged to the end. '2020 A.D' would have been an excellent conclusion to Ophiuchus provided its once again flaring display of musicianship on all ends with much dynamics seamlessly woven into a succinct and comprehensive song. And though followed by 'Total Freedom' that again puts on a showing that is unforgettable as the guitars ascend and descend in pace as they transition to the lush and gigantic solo, it comes across as if Dark Zodiak are sweating to prove a point that has already been accounted for up the order and had never dissipated.

At the end of it all, Ophiuchus by Dark Zodiak is a must have for anyone who enjoys death/thrash metal of the late 90s to early 2000s; it's filled with memorable guitar solos, excellently syncopated drum patterns and a beast of a vocalist. A humble band that goes the extra mile to show sincerity and skill.

"Humor is a tender weapon"

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Felix on May 6, 2025.

Hybrid black thrash violence with vocals which border on death metal growling, this is what Denouncement Pyre practise. After a handful of releases between 2004 and 2008, “World Cremation” marked their first full-length. It hit the stores in 2010 and now, fifteen years later, it still sounds fresh. I am not speaking about a masterpiece or an undisputable classic, but a more than solid kick in the teeth.

What is missing for a real killer album? Not much, but some hymnal, triumphant, or otherwise catchy elements would have been a good idea in order to give the listener some moments of orientation. Or maybe just one song in a dragging tempo without the machine gun fire of the drums, which accompanies me more or less the entire work. No doubt, the songs are not progressive or exorbitantly interwoven, but the album as a whole is not easily accessible. This does not mean that the drilling, slicing, and harsh riffs are interchangeable. Most of them are pretty cool, sharp-edged, and somehow dangerous. But they lack five or ten percent of individuality. One gets eight good songs, yet none of them stand out. So, it takes some time to understand all the details of the material.

However, all these minor deficiencies cannot prevent that “World Cremation” shows a powerful band that has a talent for the creation of cruel and quite devastating pieces. Denouncement Pyre makes no secret of their origin. One finds some elements in their songs, we know well from bands such as Deströyer 666 or Assaulter, in particular the “Australian” ferocity as well as the lack of compassion. Not to mention the controlled, cold-blooded hatred, which seems to be a special trait from Down Under. While the band cuts its way through the bushes, the feeling of absolute infamy and perfidious contempt for “the others”, whoever they may be, intensifies. Expressive song titles like “Coven of Diabolical Bloodlust” or “A Banner Drenched in Blood” contribute to the strong aroma of the album, too. The same can be said about professional production. It is not overly dirty, but it captures the malignancy of the material very well. Moreover, it shows a good balance between drums, guitars, and voice.

Perhaps the weakness of “World Cremation” is its strength at the same time. When you have eight tracks on the same quality level, you find no highlight, but no downer as well. Every hellish second of the more than 36 minutes is worth listening to. It’s not only the riffs, not only the leads, not only breaks – the whirlwind solos are also very well done. Usually, I do not even have to wear my Ramones shirt in order to be pretty suspicious when it comes to solo excursions of sometimes narcissistic guitarists. Here, they spread an extra dose of impulsive energy, for example, at the end of the aforementioned “A Banner Drenched in Blood”. After this great number, the opulent closer completes the picture and proves that Denouncement Pyre can rely on a rebellious and unbreakable mindset from the beginning to the end. Every new break lets the listener stare into a new, infinitely deep abyss. So beware, the “Black Womb of Magdalene” is only the first gorge.

Rating: 8.4 out of 10