Album Review: Apostolica – Haeretica Ecclesia (Scarlet Records)

Apostolica have founded a new cult based on an intriguing and enigmatic image. Haeretica Ecclesia is the first chapter of the four masked prophets’ very own book of revelations: a prophecy in music where they – modern-day knights of the Apocalypse – declare war to the heavens and celebrate the human being despite weaknesses and defects.

Haeretica Ecclesia will be released on September 17th, 2021 via Scarlet Records.

Stand back, metal has a new name riding in and it comes under a banner proudly displaying the word ‘power’.

Power metal is the most simplified way to describe Haeretica Ecclesia but it doesn’t follow tropes that many might describe as tired. Instead, Apostolica up the epic to biblical levels and draw from the playbooks of the likes of Sabaton, Ordan Ogan and Powerwolf.

A spectacle and subtle concept based on the Book of Revelations, Haeretica Ecclesia is a bombastic effort. Jam packed with catchy riffing, a ton of hooks and powerful symphonic sounds and choirs. If you’re not head-banging wildly, you’ll have your fist raised high in the air or be thumping your chest in devotion to this band.

One of the big appeals of this album is just how clean it sounds as every detail is clear to the ears. Such an important aspect for something this layered and it helps tracks like Sanctus Spiritus, Thanatos, No More Place in Hell and Redemption sound even more majestic.

That being said, it still hits a lot of the right power metal notes. From the imposing vocals that have a gruffness while being utterly spell-binding to the rhythmic instrumentation that constantly lifts the spirits to the thumping, war-drum like, percussion. It’s powerful and striking but still a ton of fun.

A reckoning in power metal is coming and the harbingers of doom are Apostolica.

Apostolica – Haeretica Ecclesia Full Track Listing:

1. Sanctus Spiritus
2. The Sword of Sorrow
3. Come With Us
4. Thanatos
5. Pollution Is My Name
6. No More Place in Hell
7. The Doom
8. Famine
9. The Dusk is Coming
10. Redemption

Links

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