Sunday 8 November 2020

Celestial Sanctuary - Mass Extinction


Labels: Self-Released/Brutal Cave Productions/F H E D/Redefining Darkness Records

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 06 Oct 2019


Tracklist:


1. Mass Extinction

2. Wretched Habits


I've spent the last couple of days with my family (and support bubble), having a bit of a reset as I get used to this second lockdown. Apologies for the radio silence. I did, however, find some time to go over some recent submissions and came across a couple of demos that seemed fitting to write about. The first one being this two-song demo from UK death metal band Celestial Sanctuary. It was originally self-released digitally by the band last October, alongside a tape version from fellow UK label F H E D. In December, it saw a Cdr release via Portuguese label Brutal Cave Productions and it's now been released in the US on tape/digitally by Redefining Darkness Records. Celestial Sanctuary are very much part of the New Wave of British Death Metal, which alongside new waves from across the globe, is growing all the time.


With the NWOBDM as it is now, you get less brutal pace and more doom-like tempos, akin to the old-school. Celestial Sanctuary epitomise that nod to the past on Mass Extinction, with it’s opening track beginning with slow and atmosphere-ridden heavy riffs. Even when ‘Mass Extinction’ does pick up  it’s pace, it’s filled with bass-heavy and technically solid guitar work, alongside thrashing percussion and nasty snarling vocals. Definitely sit CS alongside the UK’s Bolt Thrower and American cousins Incantation in any death metal playlist.


Second track ‘Wretched Habits’ is equally as squalid, with pressure being heaped upon you by the weight of the riffs. There’s plenty of groove as well, which is nice to hear and translates really well on record. The production and mastering of the demo leaves some murk amongst the depths, while still allowing it to sound clear and engrossing. The more you listen to this the more infectious is gets, that’s for sure.


I’ve read that there could be a new album coming from Celestial Sanctuary before the end of the year. This demo is very strong so you can only imagine what a long-player will be like. Make sure you get acquainted with this band before then, as any new release will likely sell fast!


You can stream Mass Extinction and get it as a name-your-price-download directly from Celestial Sanctuary below:-



Celestial Sanctuary - https://www.facebook.com/Celestial-Sanctuary


Physical copies have sold out from the band and from F H E D, but you can still buy copies from the links below:-


Brutal Cave Productions - https://brutalcaveproductions.bandcamp.com/album/mass-extinction

Redefining Darkness Records - https://celestialsanctuary-uk.bandcamp.com/album/mass-extinction


F H E D - https://www.facebook.com/FxHxExD/

Brutal Cave Productions - https://www.facebook.com/brutalcaveproductions/

Redefining Darkness Records - https://www.facebook.com/redefiningdarkness/

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