Far too often, when the realms of black and death metal crossover we find ourselves simply wanting more. It’s downright infuriating to see a band come so close to success only the just miss the mark for one reason or another, but it’s with a few simple key ingredients that can be brought together by the right hands in order to bring forth an experience that’s as true to the sound as we could get should the right hands be putting it all together. When such a creation does come about, it simply begs to be herladed for all that it brings forward with Azothyst’s debut effort something that absolutely qualifies as such a creation.

The embracement of blasphemy with an utterly diabolical intent have always had a massive part to play in the world of black/death metal without exception and no matter what band we’re dealing with be they a brand new act or true veterans of the sound. You can’t get much newer than Azothyst for what they bring to the table, but it’s somehow within the six tracks of their debut creation, “Blood of Dead God”, that it’s everything from the very title that gives the listener no doubt as to what kind of experience the Canadian quartet is throwing down. Two of those six songs happen to be dark interludes that do naught but worm their way underneath the skin with minimal effort, but it’s the overall experience of “Blood of Dead God” that is nothing to scoff at whatsoever as Azothyst already show a clear understanding of their craft with an undeniable passion for the exact vision and sound that they have in mind as it’s every possible aspect of this album that plays into the best tropes of the style with this band already adept at bringing them all together in tantalizing fashion. It makes for a largely simplistic listen when we take into consideration what a large swathe of the style dares to attempt as the very boundaries of the sound are constantly being tested, but it’s right from the beginning that Azothyst’s talents are cemented in the very psyche of the listener with everything that follows for the very whole of “Blood of Dead God” showing us just what kind of band we’re dealing with here on their very first foray into the underground. And by all accounts, the name Azothyst is not one that should be taken lightly.

A band’s first steps through the underground are undoubtedly important with many being able to forgive an act should they make a couple of mistakes here or there on their first release, but in no way was that ever a worry when listening to Azothyst’s first offensive for it brings together so much of what has made black/death metal such a treat in its modern form as it’s from the outright blasphemy to the undeniable power in every note that makes this debut one that should not be underestimated. What we’ve gotten from “Blood of Dead God” is nothing that should be ignored in any capacity with the dark future for this band looking incredibly promising should they continue down this evil path, constantly sharpening their blades as they march forth ready to harvest all that come before them.

LISTEN to “Blood of Dead God” on Bandcamp here.