Altar Of Oblivion – In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay

Altar Of Oblivion
In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay
Label: From The Vaults
Out: June 28^th, 2024
Playing time: 46:46

The Danish Doom / Heavy Metal band Altar Of Oblivion was founded in 2006. Before that, the band had already existed for two years under the name Summoning Sickness. Three albums, one live album, various singles and EPs have been released since then. Five years have now passed since the last studio album “The Seven Spirits”. The band’s fourth album “In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay” was released in June. Behind this title is a concept album based on the diary of guitarist Martin Meyer Sparvath’s great-grandfather. Jesper Wilhem Meyer, fought reluctantly for the German Empire during the First World War.

As early as “Nothing Grows From Hallowed Ground”, the gloomy riffs trickle out of the speakers. Although the tempo picks up a little later. Also “The Fallacy” is one of the faster epic doom pieces. The instrumental interlude “Ghosts In The Trenches” is characterised by sound gimmicks. In my opinion, it’s more of a gap filler. “Mark Of The Dead” starts with clean guitars and calm vocals. Even though the instrumental section kicks in powerfully later on, it remains quiet at first in the ballad style. But it soon moves towards Epic Doom in the mid-tempo range. “Altar Of Oblivion”, titled after the band’s name, is one of the shorter songs on the album (only 3:10 minutes playing time). Initially, drum passages dominate, later dark riffs are added. A sustained sound and dark vocals are predominant. At the beginning of “The Night They Came” you can hear a Capella harmony vocals. But soon dark riffs dominate again. “Silent Pain” is a little out of character. Here the Danes rock out lively. Another interlude follows with “Damnation”, but this time with much more melody. And with vocal passages. Or should we rather call it a short doom ballad? I think so. Synth strings and jangling but calm guitars accompany the vocals.  The title track “In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay” is again doom-typical in length and is characterised by dark riffs. Epic Doom that could have come from Black Sabbath. The outro “Wind Among Waves” is again characterised by clean guitars, which nevertheless spread a gloomy mood.

Well, on “In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay” there are one or two slumps. This is probably due to the album concept. But when Altar Of Oblivion return to their Doom virtues, there’s plenty of epic in the songs. You can definitely recognise references to Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus here. If you disregard the minor weaknesses, the album is largely successful. Fans of the bands mentioned should definitely give it a listen.

Altar Of Oblivion – Nothing Grows From Hallowed Ground: https://youtu.be/H3R_tPLRnxE?si=A9gA-yJD-J2qCfwq

Lineup:

Mik Mentor – Vocals
Martin Meyer Sparvath – Guitars, Guitar-Synth
Jeppe Campradt – Guitars
C. Nørgaard – Bass
Danny Woe – Drums
Jannick Nielsen – Keyboards

Track list:

• Nothing Grows From Hallowed Ground
• The Fallacy
• Ghosts In The Trenches
• Mark Of The Dead
• Altar Of Oblivion
• The Night They Came
• Silent Pain
• Damnation
• In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay
• Wind Among Waves