As I detailed here , and to save some time, basically Order of Ennead is a continuation of label and line up hampered act Council of the Fallen, who released two very solid albums of blistering black/death metal in 2002s Revealing Damnation and 2004s Deciphering the Soul. Both I which I highly recommend.

However, of note with this new iteration is that Deicide drummer Steve Asheim has joined the fold of determined original/founding guitarist vocalist Kevin Quiron (who also helps Deicide out when on tour), adding to the legacy of elite drummers that assisted Quiron back on the Council of the Fallen days (namely Derek Roddy and Tim Yeung). Also worth mentioning is the addition of lead guitarist John Li, a Ralph Santolla (Iced Earth, Deicide, Obituary) disciple, and it shows on the band’s self titled debut.

Now with a solid label, the sound of Order of Ennead is expectedly a continuation of Council of the Fallen, that’s to say searing black metal with a Floridian death metal back bone, but with Asheim’s drums and Li’s melodic leads, as well as Quiron’s more introspective lyrics, the material clamors for your undivided attention in a swathe of tightness intensity and intelligence.

Right from opener “Seeking the Prophets”, through “Reflection, An Endless Endeavour”, steady lurch of “As Long As I Have Myself I Am Not Alone”, personal trio of favorites “The Culling” and controlled fury of “Conferring with Demons” and “As If Rose I Wither”, melodic “Cry to a Perilous Sun” to epic 6 minute closer “Dismantling an Empire” (complete with excellent piano laced outro), the tone and tenacity will be familiar to anyone familiar with the Council of the Fallen material as its source sound. Li adds some sweeping solos to the mix of Quiron’s sharp riffing and feral rasp, as well as Asheim’s expected workman like intensity behind the kit. As with the Council of the Fallen days, there are a couple acoustic interludes in “Interlude with Reason” and “Prelude to Ruin”, but they are short, well done and break up the supremely confident, and tightly produced black/death assault.

While most of the metal media and US fans seem to be smearing their corpse paint over US black metal acts like Sothis and Abigail Williams, do your self a favor and break from the pack and listen to a far more talented and creative act that has been delivering a US take on black metal since 2000 with far more individuality and brilliance.

[Visit the band's website]

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