There’s something about an act that’s shrouded in mystery that can really stir the heart of a listener, and metal, more than any other genre out there, has loads of secretive bands to go around that constantly lurk in the shadows. Whether it’s intentional or just a product of being part of the underground, it all really depends and it makes discovery talent from that obscurity all the more delicious for anyone who puts in the time to seek it out. Terror Oath is a tremendous example of that, and it’s with just three tracks that they offer our first look into their dark and seething world, and it’s definitely something we are going to want to keep an eye on in the future.

There’s not much about that cover art that doesn’t give us a solid idea as to what exactly we’re in for when we press play for what Terror Oath has on display here, and it’s far from anything that could be considered disappointing for anyone who likes their death metal raw and truly uncompromising. It’s like listening to Triumvir Foul for the first time for me, and I can’t help but see this band go down a similar path with how amazingly powerful this effort is from top to bottom. Terror Oath only brings three tracks to the table with this release, but they’re so incredibly deadly to the touch that it’s near impossible to not get sucked in as this band shows us what they’re made of. It’s stupendously potent even though this is the first non-demo material that we’ve gotten from Terror Oath thus far, and if it’s any glimpse as to what we can expect from this act in the future then we’re in for one hell of a treat! Everything here is visceral right until the end, and Terror Oath makes damn sure that we feel every single ounce of it right from the beginning as they do a truly awesome job at doing so at every turn as this is the sort of death metal that is no less than all-consuming.

This is just a little offering when looked at but it offers an absolute word of potential after listening to it. Tons of death metal acts come crawling out of the underground with an acidic attitude that eats away at the very soul, but it’s not too often that we get it in such a seething capacity like this which is all but intoxicating, and Terror Oath knows how to capitalize on it at every turn. Hopefully, this self-titled work is just the beginning for this band, and if it is, then we’re in for one hell of a ride.

LISTEN to “Terror Oath” on Bandcamp here.