Rites of Desecration & Demise

The scene of Singapore is almost unknown to me. Apart from two – three quite known bands, I don’t know neither if there is big nor if there is a good scene in Singapore. However with releases like the one of Draconis Infernum, you can understand that there are good bands there too. The band was formed in 2005 and consists of three members. “Rites of Desecration & Demise” is the second full length album of the band that it follows their first full length album of 2008 and one single of 2010. In the album, which contains eight compositions and a cover of Bathory’s, “Satan my Master”, of total duration of about forty five minutes, the band plays a violent, fast Thrash/Black with interesting, mid tempo passages, while in some part their influences by the Scandinavian sound appear.

Although the tracks are big in duration, between five and six minutes each, they are very interesting and keep the listener’s attention irreducible. That happens, from one hand, because the tracks are structured very well, from the other hand because the riffs are straightforward and very interesting. Also the changes and the passages make the songs even more interesting. The riffs are mach influenced by the Scandinavian sound and have that straightforward Thrash feeling.

The guitars are clean and deliver the riffs very well, while the bass adds that dirt and depth that is needed by the sound. The drums, which almost never stop the blast bits, reminded me the deliverance which I would listen in a brutal Death Metal band. Generally every instrument is doing a very good job. The vocals are harsh, angry Black Metal vocals that make the compositions even more violent. The production is clean, a little bassy and combined with the very good mix, it highlights the tracks. The lyrics are written in English and as you can understand also by the awesome cover, they deal with Satanism, rituals and express antichristian views, delivered with a cult style.

This album is violent, old school, without meaningless garrulity and boring passages. It may not have anything new to offer, but that’s not its purpose. It is a very good release by a scene which is unknown to the majority of Black Metal fans and it deserves your attention. It really worth you buy it.