The DevilsHorns

2 years on from their full length debut album, Danish riff demons Strychnos return with Armageddon Patronage, a substantial slab of blackened death metal heavy enough to cure the common cold!

The 3-piece have delivered their sophomore album, recorded within 2 years of ‘A Mother’s Curse’ and while it isn’t an immense leap forward, it does show a growing maturity within the band. A string of festival appearances have obviously given a bit of confidence in what they can deliver, and this confidence has been laid out on Armageddon Patronage.

before a majority of the songs pummel you with the closest blunt instrument to hand.

Opening track, ‘Winds Warning the Final Storm’ have a black metal underbelly supported by the aggression of death metal. The blunt instrument used here is likely to be a rolling pin, or other kitchen implement.

The 2^nd track is the title track of the album and it is a track that almost immediately gets the feet tapping away, if not quite getting the approving head-nod. Martin Leth Andersen’s vocals dominate the track, but in a good way. The understated riff allows the song to breath and it is very listenable.

The album then develops and grows into itself. There are a few areas of misfiring, like riffs that are just a little too repetitive through to a form of harmonised vocals that I personally found slightly amusing. Check out ‘Choking Salvation’ for this. The good thing is, it doesn’t detract from the song. It is a banger!

Lasting 43minutes or so, the 8 tracks provided are good, if not great. A few tracks are almost great, and the 1-2 final hit of the closing tracks ‘Sweeping Storm of Suicide’ and album closer ‘Nattevandrerinden’ leaving you wanting more, providing a very strong close to what is an enjoyable album.

I look forward to further listens.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strychnosterror

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strychnosterror/

Bandcamp: https://strychnos.bandcamp.com/

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/rs/artist/strychnos/1644761049

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ahBLSGA36L7TEqaPLWyN8