Order of Decay – Mortification Rites
Release Date: 2nd June 2023
Label: Sentient Ruin
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Doom Metal, Death Doom.
FFO: Swallow the Sun, Hooted Menace, Esoteric, Monolithe,Vainaja.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
The United Kingdom has given us some excellent Doom Metal bands such as Paradise Lost, Darkest Era, and Esoteric. It was only a matter of time before Scotland produced intriguing Death/Doom. I believe Order of Decay fits well into that category. Their album, Mortification Rites, offers a Death/Doom experience that deviates slightly from the usual sound. It still has a familiar tone, but this occultist band has developed its own style.
One notable aspect is the disorienting sections found in Vows of Death, which align perfectly with the band’s desired atmosphere. Additionally, Blood Libation effectively creates tension and provides an uncomfortable yet enjoyable experience. The short track, Scent of Flesh, manages to sound genuinely evil. Furthermore, the use of church bells tolling in the background throughout the album adds a nice touch to its profane atmosphere. The vocals bear similarities to those of Tomb Mold, exhibiting strong traditional death metal vibes. Personally, I appreciate this, but some listeners might wish for more variety.
The drums are particular; the blast beats sound powerful and prominent, but the cymbals may be slightly too soft for some tastes. While I have no issues with programmed drums or triggers, I feel that on an album striving to summon demons, the cymbals could have had a meaner sound. However, this is a minor concern overall, the production fits the music well.
Charnel Meditation serves as an interlude track, effectively building tension, but it lacks significant developments. On the other hand, Bone Lords concludes the album well, even if the song may be slightly too long for what it offers. While most songs on the album strike a balance by not overstaying their welcome, the closing track extends its duration by two minutes, I’d say.
Order of Decay shows an awesome Finnish Doom vibe, but with fewer wintry elements and more pagan rituals. If you enjoy Hooded Menace but find their last album to be insufficient, Order of Decay can quench your thirst for the occult. This album finds a good balance between old school Death and Doom metal without testing your patience. With most tracks around five minutes in length, the simple and straightforward melodic themes become more captivating. Although the album loses some steam as it progresses, Mortification Rites takes listeners on a journey into a dark and expansive abyss. The musicians behind the project may remain anonymous, but there’s experience in their craft. Gather your friends for some unholy rituals and make sure to have this album playing in the background!
(3.5 / 5)
