Adversary Omnipotent

It's been 8 years since their first release. I patiently waited for a follow-up to that amazing work up until probably around 2015 where I completely forgot about this band and awaited second album. Here's an actual quote from Sumerian records on a video released in 2012 for "Lairs Of The Ascended Masters"; "The new pre-production song from Enfold Darkness. Be on the look out for their upcoming album due out later this year on Sumerian Records." I laughed when I just read this! Not doing much research, it's probably due to record-deal disputes. Either way, the album ended up very solid.

In comparison to Our Cursed Rapture, this album is overall a much more well rounded album. Our Cursed Rapture has a few better songs than anything on this album ("Dead in the Brine" comes to mind). The heights were higher but lows were definitely lower then. I remember putting in that album to listen to a handful of songs whereas this album you put in to take the whole album as a whole. I absolutely love the structure and flow through the release.

The vocals had me worried right off the bat in the first track (track 2) when he does a sort of death metal rap. That almost never works except for possibly only when Archspire does it. The drums hit all the right marks in perfect unison and I have no complaints here. The musical facet that jumps out and grabs you is by far the lead guitar work. From the noodle licks over the rhythm guitar to the all-at-once beautiful, technical, and soulful solos. I mean, the licks alone would keep me coming back for more. Even the rhythm guitars are unique and there are multiple face-melting yet catchy riffs that I look forward to. A great example is the riff around the 1:10 mark on "The Test of Wisdom". I should also say here that there is an instrumental track which is beautiful and a full meal to digest ("Arise, Morning Star, into the Netherworld"). That's twice in very recent memory that an instrumental track has made it into my favorite tracks. Kudos!

Best tracks:
--The Test of Wisdom
--Vanish Into Damnation
--The Dirge of the Surrogate Invictus
--Arise, Morning Star, into the Netherworld (Instrumental)
--Liberator of Mages

Technical Skill: 91% Originality: 81% Songwriting: 80% Album structure: 90%