Review: Goatwhore’s Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven Brings ‘Death from Above’
The legendary Goatwhore is back with Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven, which stands to be an unforgettable 47 minutes of pure aural blasphemy. Dropping this Friday, Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven is the band’s eighth studio album. It follows up 2017’s Vengeful Ascension and serves as their sixth full-length effort under the Metal Blade banner.
Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven reeks of all-American sweat and grime while giving you a taste of authentic European flavor. It fuses death metal with the mysticism and other hallmarks of black metal, adds in some NOLA soul, injects adrenaline-fueled thrash elements, and builds upon the backbone of classic metal.
By the time the final notes have rung out, it’s obvious that Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven truly transcends categorization and has something for everyone.
From the get-go, we can thank Louis Ben Falgoust II (vocals), Sammy Pierre Duet (guitars, vocals), Zack Simmons (drums), and Robert “TA” / “Trans Am” Coleman (bass) for an album that delivers everything you could want from an extreme metal band like Goatwhore. This record brandishes the band’s ardent drive, intensity, and momentum like weapons in its arsenal.
If you love war metal, this pick will be right up your alley. It assaults you with blitzkrieg strength. This evil offering is pleasantly raw. Yet, it is also a polished and mature work. Goatwhore will catch you off guard with soaring guitar solos and the like. We love the chemistry between the formidable pipes of Falgoust and Duet. The low, gravelly vocals and death growls are guaranteed to put you in your place like a bitch-slap; they’ll ensure that you remain seated to hear Goatwhore out. Surprisingly, this record actually makes for a wickedly easy listen.
Although the the band mined inspiration from within, drew heavily from old texts, and demonstrated their commitment to keeping various metal traditions alive, the final product from Goatwhore feels wholly contemporary. Lyrically speaking, this musical gem is very grim. One of its most interesting moments is the fifth track, “Death from Above,” which was vaguely inspired by «ночные ведьмы» / “Night Witches” — a term used to denote an all-female regiment of Soviet aviators, who were able to rise above gender restrictions during WWII.
This “Ruinous Liturgy” is sure to reduce your faith in Goodness to dust as Goatwhore conjures demons “summoned by the black mass.” Forget about mercy: “The rain washes all remorse away.” “The Bestowal of Abomination” spreads the Nietzschean, bad news that “God has no power.” On “Victory Is the Lightning of Destruction,” Goatwhore proclaims: “I am the reaper — taker of life. Born a betrayer.” Goatwhore annihilates their foes with “disdain for the weak.” The epic final song, “And I Was Delivered from the Wound of Perdition,” ends with the echoing statement “All life is lost.”
Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven is a dark, evil, misanthropic piece of art that new and old fans of the band are likely to find truly gratifying. This album is worth your time and undivided attention.
Goatwhore’s Angels Hung from the Arches of Heaven comes out on October 7 and is currently available for preorder via Metal Blade Records.
