Thy Black Destiny

Sacramentum were a killer melodic black/thrash/death metal band from Sweden. Of their three albums, each one lent a bit more in sound to a particular subgenre. For example: the first album was the blackest, the second was the thrash-out and this one is the most deathly. To me, all three sound like the same band with the same influences but the approach is a little different each time.
For this album, melody still plays an important role as it always has but the Gothenburg-isms aren't as pronounced. Said melodies are still present but they have taken more of a back seat and bludgeoning has moved front and centre. Many will tell you this release is a pure death metal album that doesn't come close to the Sacramentum of old.

To some degree, I understand that sentiment as 'The Manifestation' and 'Rapturous Paradise' sound like classic Kreator with a hyper-active drummer. Multi-layered guitar harmonies and atmosphere are replaced with riff and tempo changes a plenty that have all the majesty of a crowbar to the face and groin simultaneously. On the other hand, if 'Spiritual Winter' and 'Death Obsession' were given the same Swano production and regular tuning (E instead of D) was used as found on the classic 'Far Away From The Sun,' would the end result be that different? Not really. Both tracks possess the same dark and ungodly feel that runs throughout said album. Less intricate and melodic? Yes. Atmosphere in tact but with bonus crowbar? Also yes. Tuning down a step and a greater use of blast beats does not mean instant Morrisound like too many critics of this album would have you believe.

On a musical level, Nicklas Rudolfsson is a drummer that understands the importance of dynamics and accents without showing off. He's no virtuoso, but he is very competent and tasteful. Bassist/Vocalist Nisse Karlen has a fine frozen rasp of a voice but has the same delivery throughout this (and every) Sacramentum album. Had they made a fourth, a little bit of deviation from the regular would've been nice. Minor gripe though as his delivery always suits. Guitars are solid, tight and dynamic. Catchy melodies, tremolo bashing-solos and blackened power chords, all varied and well played. Andy LaRocque's production is dense and heavy whilst capturing every instrument well. Vocals and solo's vocals sit perfectly in the mix and don't steal the show. Lyrics are decent to good, nothing more.
Death, Anti-Christianity, War and so forth are, predictably, the topics of choice in case you couldn’t figure that out by the song titles.

Verdict: It rules. Buy it.