Beheaded, impaled, stoned, and tortured corpses encompass a cryptic font, centered by a black inverted cross. Surely a satanic band's cover art. Nope. Hailing from New Zealand, DEVOUT is a Christian band sure to give you a lesson in sound you have never been dealt. DEVOUT has manifested an original sound unheard of in secular or Christian music, coined "forest metal". A concoction of doom metal along the lines of PARAMAECIUM, permeated with a distinct guitar atmosphere. Guitarist Kim Carter has a style all his own by incorporating atmospheric melodies (that I can safely say) do NOT mesh with the other music. The dude just goes off into his own trip in a sound-check kinda way? The doom vox are fair, but could use some work in consistency. "Martyrdom" is a jewel for ambient doom-heads searching for something unique in style.
7/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 1996Reviewed by HadeSlayeRThe first New Zealand Christian metal band I know of. The inserts are very professionally done with somewhat explicit and gory art which might offend those who do not understand it's meaning. It depicts the various ways that history records martyrs dying and being tortured. Like beheading and crucifixion. Consisting of only 2 members Kim Carter on guitar and Shane Kennerley on bass and lead…
