Baptism – V: The Devil’s Fire Review

You can be forgiven for needing a second listen of the latest offering from Finland’s black metallers to fully appreciate the explosion of noise to grace on this album....

Released by: Season Of Mist

Genre: Black Metal

Release date: Out now!!!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/baptismofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/baptismofficial/

 

Line up:

Lord S – vocals, guitar, songwriting

SG.7 – guitar

TG – lead guitar

Syphon – bass

LRH – drums

 

Tracklist:

  1. Natus Ex Ignis
  2. Satananda
  3. The Sacrament Of Blood & Ash
  4. Devil’s Fire
  5. Abyss
  6. Cold Eternity
  7. Malignant Shadows
  8. Buried With Him

 

Baptism is a black metal band from Finland. The band was formed in 1998 by vocalist/guitarist Lord Sargofagian and drummer Demonium. The summer of that year the band released their first demo, “Satanic Rituals”, although very few copies were released. Following a two year hiatus the band released their second demo, “Sons of Ruin & Terror”, in 2000. Similar to the last demo the release was limited. After the addition of bassist Slaughterer the band released their first full length album, “The Beherial Midnight”, on June 12, 2002. 2004 would see three releases, from the band, a split CD with “Uncreation’s Dawn” and the EPs “Wisdom & Hate” and “Black Ceremony”. The band released their second full length album in 2005 entitled “Morbid wings of Sathanas”. Currently Slaughterer and Demonium have left the band leaving Lord Sargofagian as the only official member.

Baptism returns after a four-year absence with their fifth album, “V: The Devil’s Fire”. You can be forgiven for needing a second listen of the latest offering from Finland’s black metallers to fully appreciate the explosion of noise to grace on this album. Like most to come out of this dark genre it takes a while to settle in, to be at ease with what you are hearing but once you do it hits you and you are drawn into the deep dark depths of their inner conscious. V: The Devil’s Fire optimizes everything we urge to feel, our desire to see differently, to live courageously. All sugar coated with insanely textured riffs and vocals that will tingle you to the very core. It’s a fascinating journey and you sure as hell will love every minute of being on the ride with them.

Each song has distinguishing characteristics that make the album enjoyable to sit through from start to finish, guest vocalists Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow the Sun) and Mynni Luukkainen (Horna) appear on “The Sacrament of Blood and Ash” and “Satananda” respectively, these touches add a human feel to the Satanic like depths that are reached early on. “Cold Eternity”, has an equally appealing yet ear piercing industrial grind, like the Devil himself striking steel on steel, while the solo on “Devil’s Fire” is memorable and unique for this genre. The song heaves and pulses with deep, resonating strength, with panoramic waves of dark melody that roil and rush like storm clouds – and rocking rhythms that will get heads moving. The song’s surging intensity is bolstered by a deep, thumping bass lines and gripping drum work, as well as the ferocity of Lord S.’s serrated vocal tirades and a striking guitar solo that’s worth waiting for all by itself. For me, what makes the song truly stand out is the dark majesty and melancholy emotional sweep of the song’s central melody – it has pulled me back to this devilish fire repeatedly.

Don’t skip any tracks, but a particular favourite for me has to be “The Sacrament of Blood and Ash”. You don’t get more spine tingling and chilling than that. “V: The Devil’s Fire” in my opinion is the best release of Baptism’s career to date.

 

 

Written by: Danielle Bates

Ratings  10/10

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