We are in that weird time of the metal press cycle where I am are still filtering through late 2016 releases and starting to get inundated with 2017 releases, which is a shame as 2016 still has some gems that needed to be heard and covered. One such release is the second release from Virginia’s Construct of Lethe, who also released a full length at the beginning of 2016, which I will be checking out based on the strength of this excellent 6 song, 25 minute EP.

Firmly rooted in the churning, murky style of technical death metal played by Immolation and Gorguts, a dash of Morbid Angel and some early  Mithras . the trio that form Construct of Lethe (who have served in the depths of the Virginia underground in the likes of Betheldeign, Grethor, Xaoc, Dead Syndicate and Witch Hunt), have come together to form an impressive project.

The EP appears to have a central concept linked by some Middle Eastern spoken words, but the 5 Latin named songs  and the title track all carry the same  atonal,  earthy riffs and other worldly solos (where the Mithras comparison comes in).Whether is a more restrained, discordant lumber (“Lux in Tenebris” ” Expandentes Putrescat”) that imbues Gateways to Annihilation or a more aggressive, muddy vortex (“Ascendit Ex Inferos”, “Bibere Venenum in Auro”), the results are impressive, and come with an intellectual aura amid the high impact death metal. The closing title track delivers a little of both and really has me intrigued by the future of this outfit.

The vocals are a bit more of a distant throaty, murmur and don’t really project much power or authority, but fits the overall atmosphere and delivery well. These guys are definitely on my radar and I hope they continue down this path of top notch death metal.

[Visit the band's website]

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