Architect of Subjugation

Architect of Subjugation is the second demo from Portland's burgeoning black/death monsters Exequy. Formed in 2012 by D.B. from Baphometic War Command and former Shroud of the Heretic drummer C.M., Exequy brings a heavy handed assault that eschews melody in favor of a constant bombardment of pummeling percussion and deep, crushing riffing. While the demo only features five tracks and thirteen minutes of music, the band is able to get their message across quite clearly.

The music really calls to mind the works of war metal legends like Revenge, Conqueror or Blasphemy. It's an unrelenting mass of surging power chords and constantly blasting drums, while the vocals are cavernously deep, bellowing growls and screams. It's a sound that's been done to death in recent years, but Exequy manages to bring a writhing slab of black/death without completely falling into the trappings of being heavy for the sake of being heavy. Beneath the veritable miasma of thumping percussion and burly vocals, the band brings some damn fine riffing; oftentimes crushing patterns of deep, resonate power chords, other times slithering runs of crepuscular might.

Architect of Subjugation isn't likely to bring new devotees to the throne of barbaric black/death metal, but for those who crush skulls while listening to Fallen Angel of Doom, this could be your new jam for a bit. Exequy recently released a demo compilation, but I'd really like to hear if these guys could keep things as tight and maniacal on a full length. Bottom line, this is a decent demo that doesn't bring anything new to the table but it's heavy enough to knock down walls all the same.