Doomy Death Metal. That's the best description for Ethereal Scourge. This band is quite unique in its approach to brutal music. Some songs are slow grinders that are enhanced with spoken, and even whispered vocals that haunt you to the end. Then you get assaulted with a speedy double bass laden song with true fast Death vocals. Throw in some classical guitars every now and then just to round things out and what you end up with is an album that never gets old, never gets weak and totally entertains.
This album is better overall than the songs they previously released on the Rowe Productions compilation Hard and Heavy From Down Under, with a lot of fresh twists to the music. The Death vocals performed on Hard and Heavy are still present but Jared Murray has certainly expanded his style. I also hear a lot of experimenting on guitar by Asoka Gare. These factors go a long way to making this album such an incredible CD to listen to. As said before Glen Reseigh provides several songs of full on double bass drumming speed, but then on other songs really brings the tempo down to a churning grind that compliments the doom style of the song.
Lyrically this is one of the most unique albums I've heard in a long time. These guys really have a knack for writing songs that pull you into them with the lyrics. Take "Restoration," which is about a person at the moment of their death. The lyrics start off with:
The traveller lies fallen battered and bleeding
in pain upon his path, despair his companion
no strength to go for on his way.
Death's hand is knocking
my thirsting throat desires His wine.
Black shapes are mocking
they long to desecrate my mind.
Then the song "Refuge" is a pure Death Metal/Doom praise song that changes midway. It begins with a fast and powerful intro that pounds out:
My life I lay it down
and bow before your throne.
My life I give to you
by sacred blood I am your son.
Then the second half of the song slows to a grind that it is just phenomenal and ends with:
and I will worship you, when the moon bleeds and the sun is black
and I will worship you, when the earth breaks and the sky it cracks.
Truly another song that makes your heart want to burst from your chest in praise to the Lord.
This album is a definite must for those who are fans of the likes of Mortification, Crimson Thorn, Metanoia, Living Sacrifice, and with the diversity, the list could go on, but I won't. If you are into Death Metal or Doom what-so-ever, Judgment & Restoration is certainly a gem of a find.
9/10
Other coverage for this album
Critical Mass #2Reviewed by Tom EdmondsonOne thing I listen for in a new band is authenticity. By this I mean, could this band be heard by a non-Christian and gain their respect? Do they have the sound without mimicking someone else? Ten or fifteen years ago a new band would quite often be hyped up as sounding like such-and-such a secular band. We were continuously disappointed and often ridiculed by non-Christians for wimpy or copycat…Garlic Press #6Reviewed by tedcoreIn keeping with bands such as napalm, carcass & mortification, etheral scourge have brought a dark sounding but very spiritual album that i dare call "death praise". the lyrics show major contrast between death and life in the sovereignty of God. the vocals are natural and not run through a processor, but don't let that fool you, they are still coarse, sometimes contrasted against speaking. lotz…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerThere are few releases in Christian music that I have looked forward to as much as this one. Months in advance, it was said to be similar to Sepultura (one of my all-time favorite bands), and that was enough to get my blood churning in anticipation (hmmm, that's some interesting imagery--must be the influence of their CD pounding the walls as I write). After all, these days there are plenty of…Similar sounding releases
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