Asphagor nimbly subverted my expectations, as their particular brand of black metal draws influence from a style that I very often overlook. Endless blasts, icy screeches, and synth embellishments find no home on Pyrogenesis. Instead, Asphagor swung the other direction, stripping down their arrangements to a black n’ roll stomp more often than not, and using dramatic songwriting instead of symphonic bombast to build massive scale; all narrated by an infernal being well learned in the art of the croak. It brings to mind the aggressive approach of Immortal, simplified just as is the best of Abbath’s solo work, then made epic again in the same manner that characterizes some of Bathory’s material. Just for good measure, this five-banger drop some blistering Emperor riffs on occasion, lest you forget that your face is indeed infinitely rippable.
To that last point, I direct you to the megabanger that is “The Great Erosion.” This track, located at the top of the album’s midsection, creates an insane momentum that will induce windmilling in copious quantities. Not only is it a blast, but it’s tidy and well-structured such as to become instantly memorable. Similarly, closer “Ghost of Aphelion” succeeds. The main theme begs for replays and its sense of dimension and grandeur befits its status as a conclusion to an epic sixty-three minutes. Across that inflated runtime, though, there are countless little details that strike a chord and make this journey exceedingly dynamic for a stock black metal record. The uncharacteristically light leads in “Scales of Retribution” and “Matricide,” the throat singing in “Nine Moons,” the transcendent tremolos of “Pyrogenesis,” and the unstoppable march of “Summoning” all conspire to embed viral soundbites into my brain for an eternity, and I’m all too happy to host them.
Once the ash settles and the embers succumb to darkness, Asphagor’s fourth outing acquits itself in fine fashion. Tried and true black metal is alive and well, and Pyrogenesis readily attests to that fact. It may have been too eager to prove it, and spent too much time engaged in that endeavor. Nonetheless, its dynamic songwriting and substantially memorable highlights showcase a certain maturity and professionalism in this band’s musicianship. Will this record convert nonbelievers and newcomers? That remains to be seen. But I can confidently say that for those with a refined taste for all things blackened, Pyrogenesis is a cool, creative, and successful example of the style.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 319 kbps mp31
Label: MDD Records
Websites: facebook.com/Asphagor | asphagor.bandcamp.com/music
Releases Worldwide: March 10th, 2023