Blight - Temple of Wounds (2020)

Canada’s Metal scene has been on fire in the recent years, with plenty of bands unleashing masterful creations. Today we have Blight, a band that is just releasing their ‘debut’ release after more than a decade of combined existence, but “Temple of Wounds” clearly shows why it was worth the wait. Featuring a monstrous and sinister sound, the band unleashes nearly one hour of crushing Black/Death Metal filled with ravaging riffs and hellish vocals.

Setting a relentless mood with the pummeling guitars of “Dar-Akh-Qayin”, the band creates a very ritualistic and mysterious aura. Similar to Behemoth, but with its own brand of evilness. The band’s melodic edge creates very sinister atmospheres, and intoxicating passages as we are presented in the opener, “Elsewhere & Elsewhen” and the magical “Before the Monolith”. Perfectly blending in and out of chaotic brutality and incisive melody, the band has a very refined and effective style.

For those looking for furious headbanging tunes, “A Violent Light” is one of those tracks that is superbly intense, melodic and ravaging. We are quite impressed as to how the band keeps each track being better than the previous one by combining crushing riffs, hellish vocals and demoralizing drumming. We particularly love the mixture of harsh screams and clean ethereal vocals which send chills down our spine, particularly on songs like “The Aurous Nescience” and the eerie “Scrying the losis”.

With the band firing on all cylinders and delivering one of the most uncompromisingly brutal releases of 2020, we are blown away by the sheer levels of violence that “Temple of Wounds” excretes. Blight waited for the right time to refine their trade and unleash a truly memorable debut release. Highly recommended for fans of bands like Behemoth, Belphegor, Marduk and Dark Funeral.

Label: Svart Records

Release: June 5th, 2020

Genre: Black/Death Metal

Country: Canada