This unrelenting Italian horde returns with a concept album that delves into the fleeting nature of humanity against the backdrop of powerful supernatural forces.

A concept album that delves into the fleeting nature of humanity against the backdrop of powerful supernatural forces, drawing inspiration from the myths and tragedies of the Archaic and Classical Greek eras, Apotheosis, the brand new album by Italian Melodic Black/Death Metal horde Ārdeat, is the more-than-perfect follow-up to their 2021 debut EP Exitium. The album explores themes of man’s struggle for power, knowledge, and ultimately, his place in the universe, all wrapped up by the dynamic and powerful music by Enrico Pinelli on vocals, Cristian Della Noce and Julian Polonioli on the guitars, Riccardo Cremaschini on bass, and Andrea Adriano Salvagni on drums, turning it into a must-listen for fans of extreme music with a strong storyline behind it.

The album begins with the grim and obscure Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, a Latin phrase that means “thus passes the glory of the world”, with the sinister guitar lines by Cristian and Julian setting the tone for Hyperion, a fulminating Black Metal aria by the band overflowing heaviness, led by the intense beats by Andrea while Enrico barks and gnarls manically, also presenting soothing moments leaning towards Progressive Metal. Cristian and Julian show no mercy for their axes in Ignis Fatum, a Latin term that means “foolish fire”, offering more of the band’s melodious yet visceral sounds, with Enrico investing into deeper, more demonic vocals; and get ready for 11 minutes of a caustic fusion of Black and Death Metal in Nell’Ora dell’Epilogo, or “in the hour of the epilogue” from Italian, with Andrea stealing the spotlight with a phenomenal performance behind his drums in the most complete and dynamic of all songs.

In Hekate, Ārdeat showcase their most traditional Black Metal side thanks to the venomous roars by Enrico and the always fierce drumming by Andrea, with the band’s guitar duo once again delivering a striking riff attack; whereas the title-track Apotheosis brings to our avid ears nine minutes of intricacy, rage, heaviness and the glory of Black Metal, with the entire band having a fantastic performance armed with their sonic weapons, flowing into the outro Et in Arcadia Ego, or “also in Paradise I am”, a phrase meant as a warning that, even in Arcadia/Paradise, death is always present. And as a bonus track we have Atlantide, their cover version for a song by Franco Battiato released in the 1993 album Caffè de la Paix (check the original version HERE), resulting in a beautiful, atmospheric rendition by those Italian metallers of a non-metal song.

Through tales of gods and war, Ārdeat paint a vivid picture of humanity’s desperate attempts to transcend its limitations, a quest that often leads to devastating consequences, and you can experience all that by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing their breathtaking new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. In a nutshell, the war of the gods is coming, and the music by Ārdeat is exactly what we need to head into the battlefield either alongside those gods, or against them, always aware that it doesn’t matter which side you choose, death is inevitable.

Best moments of the album: Hyperion, Nell’Ora dell’Epilogo and Apotheosis.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi 3:15
2. Hyperion 8:00
3. Ignis Fatum 5:56
4. Nell’Ora dell’Epilogo 11:28
5. Hekate 9:27
6. Apotheosis 9:22
7. Et In Arcadia Ego 1:19

Bonus track
8. Atlantide (Franco Battiato cover) 6:51

Band members
Enrico Pinelli – vocals
Cristian Della Noce – guitars
Julian Polonioli – guitars
Riccardo Cremaschini – bass
Andrea Adriano Salvagni – drums