For all intents and purposes, the underground of metal is beast that cannot simply be contained for a menagerie of different reasons with every sort of style and inclination having a place so long as there remain those who seek glory whatever form it may come in. By far, however, it is the old school that still maintains the greatest source of inspiration and greatness for those newer acts with there always being loads of names coming around that manage to perpetuate that excellence. For their fifth effort, Temple of Dread shows us yet again how such worship is done right.

After having made their impact known across the underground to become a name that demands respect amongst any modern death metal enthusiast, everything that Temple of Dread has delivered has only been growing. Whether it’s in terms of raw menace, songwriting, talent, or power, there isn’t a shred of the death metal that Temple of Dread delivers which is lacking or feeling as though it could use some more juice. Despite having just put out an album last year, it’s clear that Temple of Dread has much more to throw down than what I think many would give them credit for with the very entirety of “God of the Godless” nothing short of an immaculate display of pure death metal. Carefully crafted for maximum destruction via pummeling riffage and never once backing down from a challenge with nothing able to stand in their way, “God of the Godless” simply rips! Even the lyrics of the album reflect the magnitude of what’s been put forth with classical myth taking center stage to ensure that the listener is being assaulted from all fronts in every imaginable way to make the record not just something to be intimidated by, but enamored with given all that Temple of Dread knows how to deliver in such an exquisite form.

Death metal done right, one cannot look upon this record and not feel as though the genre has been done extreme justice. Temple of Dread has long been building itself up as a true champion for true death metal the likes of which many in the underground strive to be, but incredibly few able to even come close to achieving greatness of this caliber. An essential listen for any fan of death metal in 2024, “God of the Godless” all but cements Temple of Dread’s status as a rising beacon of madness.

“God of the Godless” releases on October 4th via Testimony Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “God of the Godless” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Temple of Dread on Facebook here.