Date: 2020
Total Time: 38:44
Label: Sentient Ruin Laboratories

DIABOLIC OATH hail from Portland, Oregon and “Profane Death Exodus” is their debut album, where they chose to play a mixture of Black, Death and generally, extreme metal.

From the first song of the album, “Towards Exalted Coronation”, supersonic speeds and blastbeats are predominant, with very scarce moments of relaxation, like “Apocryphal Manifestations”. The vocals are split between the three band members and they all have different vocal attributes, something that is remarkable, but not something that will make the big difference. The guitar solos are few and scattered, while they are stating that the bass is fretless, something that I could only distinguish in very few occasions.  The influences by TEITANBLOOD, INTER ARMA and a bit of ULCERATE are obvious, with the drums trying to change the rhythm but, in the end, despite all the blastbeats, the drums sound steadier than Jorg Michael’s drums in STRATOVARIUS. The production is raw and should be a little clearer so that some interesting details could surface.

In conclusion, “Profane Death Exodus” is quite complicated and one would need many hearings to be able to appreciate DIABOLIC OATH’s work. With the bar set high, especially this year in the extreme metal scene, and the listener being literally bombarded by many remarkable releases, “Profane Death Exodus” will not make a dent and after a few spins will end up gathering dust on a shelf, a cardboard box, or a second hand shop.

Rating 6/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: DIABOLIC OATH – Facebook Page