Album Review: Hellgoat – Death Conquers All (Boris Records)

In 2004, Amon Demogorgon surveyed the musical landscape and found it wanting. From this dissatisfaction and desire to create orthodox Black Metal, Hellgoat was born. With a firm conceptual underpinning of Gnostic Satanism, 2005 was very productive. Amon wrote and recorded four demos, an EP, and a split with Legions of Astaroth. The year was crowned with the release of Hellgoat’s debut full-length, Blasphemy from Serpent Tongues, a filthy and furious collection of primitive Black Metal.

During this time, Amon assembled a lineup of similarly minded musicians, so that Hellgoat might perform live rituals. Among the members of the first live lineup was Asmodeus Lorial Vetis, who traded bass and guitar duties with Amon. Eventually, Asmodeus became a full member and the horde coalesced in 2011 from a four-headed demon into a trio with the addition of Vaedis, who played drums. At the time Vaedis joined, Amon and Asmodeus had already written the hymns that would collectively full under the aegis of Death Conquers All later that year. Nonetheless, he contributed to their memorialization for the ages.

With a half dozen years having passed, Hellgoat’s second full-length was motivated by the same infernal zeal as Blasphemy from Serpent Tongues, but was marked with a refined musicality, springing from Amon’s growth as a musician and creator, as well as enhanced material means to achieve his vision.

Originally, released in 2011 by Graveless Slumber Records on CD, Death Conquers All is long since out of print and has never had a vinyl release. That is being corrected by Boris Records on May 31st 2019.

Like a foul beast rising out of the ashes of humanity, Hellgoat are a sight few will be able to gaze upon for fear of losing their mind. They’re here to conquer all, to conquer true black metal but most all to show that death conquers all.

If you’re tired of modern black metal, be it post, atmospheric or any other variation and seek something born of hell then this album is for you. From the moment Slay the Lamb comes ripping and tearing out of the guts of the end times to the burning heat of the pits that Ordained by the Masters Hand wallows in, this is an album that dehumanises.

Regardless of just how rough and harsh it is on the ears, you’ll love every second of it. Hellgoat layer the album with some genuinely impressive black metal riffs and hooks while also having a surprising amount of catchiness on occasion. It’s old-school black metal but at the top of the class.

Hellgoat – Death Conquers All Full Track Listing:

1. Slay the Lamb
2. Barren Eden
3. Summon Him
4. Upon the Hill of Megiddo
5. Pit of the Serpent
6. Warmarch Anthem
7. Feast of the Goat
8. Behold the Tempter Spoke
9. March of the Corpse Rats
10. Ordained by The Masters Hand

Links

Bandcamp | Boris Records | Hellgoat Facebook