Angerot burst onto the scene in 2018 with a pretty damn killer debut The Splendid Iniquity which immediately put them in the category of Swedish inspired buzzsaw guitars, stylized death metal.  Take classic Entombed/ Dismember/ Grave and toss into a blender.  Angerot, also stood out and still stand out, in this overcrowded style of death metal, by the complexities of their guitar riffs which incorporate melody and brutal aggression.  Finding out they were from South Dakota made it even more impressive, since I had them pegged as being from Scandinavia or Germany – another hotspot in recent years with awesome bands playing this death metal style.  The Divine Apostate is 8 songs in 36 minutes, just the perfect amount of time to beat you up and throw you out.

“Below the Deep and Dreamless Sleep” has some epic qualities going for it this time around and keyboards add an extra atmospheric layer to their style.  The opening part with the female style vocals chanting and then right into the brutal and pummeling heaviness the start n stop grinding riffs and drums make you realize this album is already heavier than its predecessor.  Some killer double bass and rolling drums, equipped with understandable, yet very deep and gruff vocals.  Excellent tones in the vocals alternating with the deep parts and higher register screeches.  About midway into the song we are greeted with a pummeling blast, which then brings in some serious keyboard action.  A monster of an opening song.

“Coalesced With Wickedness” starts rather slow and plodding with excellent guitar melodies and eventually the song gets into speedier territory.  More atmospheric moments and a little Edge of Sanity influence creep in at the 3.20 section and then back into the pummeling moments and more atmospherics.  A very brutal and emotive song, just like the album opener.  “Thy Kingdom Burned” starts with a fast opening, going from classic 90’s galloping speeds to full throttle choke slamming brutal blast beats.  Jason Ellsworth’s guitar work and keyboards are truly inspiring and excellent.  Monster riffs and keys!  Zaugg adds an undercurrent of heaviness with the bass and Matt Johnson’s drums are creative, pummeling and well-layed out.  C.R. Petit’s guitar work and vocals are excellent – I really enjoy his vocals and they go perfect with the music.

All the other songs are excellent, “Counsel of the Ungodly” is also great and “Each Night As You Sleep, I Destroy” is a nice little ditty of an instrumental which is short and to the point.  The album artwork, I knew from the get go is Jon Zig and the production of the album is unreal.  Beefy, heavy and nothing buried in the mix.  If you love Swedish inspired death metal you have to check out Angerot.  They offer melody and atmospherics, along the way, which really creates an excellent listening experience, as well as some new sounds to boot!

Angerot have expanded on their excellent debut and with bringing in a wider range of sounds really boost this style of death metal.  Please like their FB page, order whatever they’re selling and count me as impressed with this band.  The Divine Apostate is an absolute monster of an awesome death metal album.

 

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