Released by: Metal Blade Records

Release Date: June 23rd, 2017

Genre: Death Metal

Line Up:

Louis B. Falgoust II: Vocals
Sammy Duet: Guitars, Vocals
Zack Simmons: Drums
James Harvey: Bass

Tracklist:

1. Forsaken
2. Under The Flesh, Into The Soul
3. Vengeful Ascension
4. Chaos Arcane
5. Where the Sun Is Silent
6. Drowned In Grim Rebirth
7. Abandon Indoctrination
8. Mankind Will Have No Mercy
9. Decayed Omen Reborn
10. Those Who Denied God’s Will

I’m sure someone somewhere will disagree with me, but I think Goatwhore kicks so much ass. Since the release of A Haunting Curse in 2006, they’ve pretty much been one of my absolute favorite Extreme Metal bands. Even that far back I was still very obstinate about anything heavier than Thrash, but their music opened my eyes (and ears) to a whole new world of Metal I had typically rejected. I’m glad both opened and accepted it, as there is nothing much better when I’m in a bad mood than some Goatwhore (or the like) to get that blood pumping that anger right out. Aggressive music is certainly better than the alternative. Five albums later and I still get just as pumped up by their tunes. Their newest is no different.

I have seen some folks complain about the last couple Goatwhore albums, particularly starting around Blood For the Master. I can certainly tell a change in them sonically from the first couple of albums, but the biggest change is a more polished sound and better songwriting. I mean, I went back to the first three and loved them too, but I have more of an affinity for the newer stuff because of that polish and improved writing. Vengeful Ascension, for instance, is chock full of the usual savagery the band is known for sonically, with those guttural sounds that ooze out of Ben Falgoust’s throat, and it seems that to some degree the songs have a more early era approach yet still polished, without losing that edge of Satanic violence. Even though the band contains superb players with Sammy Duet, Zack Simmons, and James Harvey, all three of which are massive performers, they don’t rely on simply their skills, making everything all flashy and technical. It’s just sheer brutality with some bad ass solos and turbocharged rhythm work, and thought-provoking lyrics that drive it all home.

If Blackened Death Metal is your thing, Goatwhore’s Vengeful Ascension is perfect for that. I love this band and hope only big things for them. I just wish they came back to perform in my area more like they used to. They’re incredible live and would love to hear these new tunes in person. At any rate, the album is fantastic and a must-have for longtime fans and fans of the genre. Excellent stuff.

Written by: Chris Martin