The modern face of death metal is always in a constant state of change whether we like it or not. Constantly, there are new acts that are coming out on a constant basis that manage to impress us in many different ways whether it’s delivering material that blows our minds away or challenging what it means to be quality. It tends to be from much more active bands that we get material that melts our brains, but there’s always something special when excellence comes at us from a source even if it’s at an immensely slow pace. When Altars released their first full-length nine years ago and went on hiatus three years after, I don’t think many of us were ready for them to get back together in such form that could not be considered anything short of powerful.

It was clear that once the name of Altars was properly resurrected that the name wasn’t going to waste any more time with their long silence coming to an end sooner rather than later should they have anything to say about it. Not even two years after they fully returned, the full power of “Ascetic Reflection” is a simple reality that is not to be trifled with as it’s more than clear that Altars is back and arguably better than ever. This is the kind of death metal that people can, will, and have waited years for as it has the exact kind of punch with plenty of power behind it to make any initial non-believers feel utterly foolish once they become aware of the power at play, and you could pick any of these eight tracks to showcase just how ferocious Altars is on their return. Never once relying too heavily on one aspect of their sound whether it be the riffs, atmospheres, or utter chaos that ensues right before the end of everything, “Ascetic Reflection” is a collection of all that makes this band a certifiable sight to behold from all angles as their dominance cannot be denied with all that’s brought forth in this creation even as they don’t necessarily challenge our concepts of death metal by any means. It knows the job it has to do before it comes to an end, and I’ll be damned before I dare insinuate that Altars didn’t meet out their vicious purpose with deadly effect.

A nine-year gap in-between releases, hiatus or not, is a hell of a long time for fans to wait for new material, but it’s much like a fine barrel-aged bourbon that Altars has returned to us in exemplary fashion that simply cannot be ignored, and I’m happy to already see this album making waves well before its own release. All that was brought forth for “Ascetic Reflection” is the exact kind of glory that many of us are constantly looking for out of all that modern death metal has become with there not being any shred of this record that leaves you wanting more or feeling like every opportunity wasn’t seized to maximum effect.

“Ascetic Reflection” releases on July 8th via Everlasting Spew Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Ascetic Reflection” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Altars on Facebook here.