DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present ANGEL OF DAMNATION’s highly anticipated third album, Ethereal Blasphemy, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
ANGEL OF DAMNATION was formed in 2003 with the intention to create epic traditional doom metal influenced by the likes of Candlemass, Witchfinder General, and Saint Vitus on one side and the more ‘70s vibe of Pentagram and Black Sabbath on the other. The metal part of doom always was a major focus – in other words, putting guitar riffs over soundscapes. Lyrically, the band could maybe be mistaken for a black metal band but dealing less with Satanism and, instead in general, darker topics throughout the history of mankind. The band has a soft spot for blasphemy and simply mocking everything holy and religion in general.
Naturally, all this comes from a host of longtime scene veterans: NOCTURNAL / Front Beast mainman Avenger on guitar, the rhythm section of Cross Vault, and prolific vocalist Gerrit Mutz (Sacred Steel, Battleroar, Dawn of Winter) under the ever-apt handle Doomcult Messiah. Erstwhile NOCTURNAL / BLACKEVIL drummer Hellbastard and his replacement, Cross Vault / Halphas drummer Tempestas, have since departed, and now replaced by Neudi of Sentry, Trance, and ex-Manilla Road. ANGEL OF DAMNATION are nothing if not diehards!
And, seven years since their last full-length, they’re here to prove it again with Ethereal Blasphemy. Thankfully, little has changed in the sonic world of ANGEL OF DAMNATION, and their third album is thus a reassertion of ancient powers. Like some lost relic of the NWOBHM, on Ethereal Blasphemy do the quartet purge the witchfinder generals and celebrate the old-world splendor of medieval witchery. From opener “Eternal Life in Hell” to closer “Anal Worship of the Goatlord,” ANGEL OF DAMNATION lumber forward with the proud poise of titans, exuding heaviness even when the riffs aren’t strictly crushing; there’s an almost relaxed gait to the album that’s relatively unique for doom metal, maximizing the balance between hook and atmosphere. Credit is due to Neudi, for his looser and more-open style seems like a natural fit for the band, imparting a new dynamic to ANGEL OF DAMNATION whilst keeping their signature sound. The whole album was recorded in Avenger’s own cellar, known as the “Somewhere in Nowhere” Studio, fully produced by himself; only the mix & mastering was given to the Journey Into Eternity Studios, and it all results in Ethereal Blasphemy having a vibrant-yet-eldritch feel.
In the past 20-plus years, ANGEL OF DAMNATION have played live only a handful of times, but to celebrate the arrival of this third album, the band will play a few select shows following its release. Graced with an uncharacteristical artwork courtesy of the legendary Chris Moyen, Ethereal Blasphemy will make you kneel before the goat!
