Beginning with incredible artwork I immediately knew I would be into the debut album of Norwegian melodic death groovers Azmaroth. Death Crowned King starts with an intense sense of wonder that only becomes more intriguing as you sink deeper into it.
The guitar work is intricate and brutal with everything you’d expect from a groove/death metal band, but it invokes an almost magical sense of fascination in the construction of the solos and riffs. The drums keep right along with the tech footprint and provide added intensity to the riffs as well as complexity to the overall tracks. The bass has one of the best tones I’ve heard in metal this year. Vocals are brutal and devastating without being overbearing and sit just right in the mix. This album, from a mix standpoint is awesome.
Overall this album is just incredible and definitely worth a listen. Buy it from Bandcamp.
Rating: 8/10
Standout tracks: Seek of Validation, Odin’s Fate, Ashes of Life, Death Crowned King
