You maybe can guess the musical direction of AZRATH XI after a first glimpse on the album’s title – the band leers at Poland and wallows in the oversized shadow of Behemoth. Apart from this, a dose of eeriness in the vein of Morbid Angel (just listen to the cover version at the end called God Ov Emptiness), a few heroic guitar solos and the longing for an own identity sum up to a felicitous overall view.
Some experiments concerning the vocals enrich the opener Emblem Ov Primordial Tides, but for a bigger part dark growls reign. Very intense blast beats and cutting guitar chords crush you down, sometimes in complex manner like at the beginning of the compact track Enraging The Water Spirits. In the background, a desperate moaning voice attracts attention and turns out to be an outstanding stylistic device. The dark and atmospheric guitar patterns are felicitously integrated and contrast the rapid rhythm section in convenient style. I appreciate, if AZRATH XI throttles the speed in some cases during the dynamic and thrilling track Domination Ov The Storms. Weird guitar lines and crazy drum attacks demand the listener’s attention, so it’s time for a breather. Fortunately, Sunset Ov The Abysmal Embrace holds a long drawn lead, ere Beholding The Oceans appears with cumbersome paces. Afterwards, the chorus line of Let The Realms Rise leaves a memorable impression; just a while later, the high-speed inferno He Who Dwells The Depths burns all resistance. Finally, a break opens the gate for a bone-dry and abradant ending.
Numerous blast beats, downwelling sound walls and some sluggish parts attach a brute effect to the songs, but the band should work on the refrains’ quality, because I cannot find any hymns on Ov Tentacles And Spirals; in contrast, the compositions score through instrumental abilities and the intense presentation.