RITES OF THY DEGRINGOLADE "An Ode To Sin" [12" LP, Gatefold]

This is the second full-length album from Rites of Thy Degringolade, a Canadian group that sprung from the ashes of Sacramentary Abolishment. They play chaotic, technical black/death metal in the Canadian tradition of Voivod, Disciples of Power, and a touch of Blasphemy. The drums are the most notable aspect of this album. They're all over the place - pounding, slamming, marking time only to spin off into wild improvisational passages. This makes sense, considering that the central member of this band, Paulus, is also the drummer. Still, the guitar and bass are equally punishing. Vocals are vomited force with ferocious hatred. The songwriting on this album is chaotic yet still coherent and structured. The technical skill on display here is matched only by the unrelenting nature of the music. This album rarely gives the listener a break, and when it does, it immediately takes off on another attack. This constancy makes for an immersive listening experience, as do the lyrics, which are much more thoughtful than the usual fare.