If a recording this deranged, masochistic, and hellish could remain shelved and unreleased for 17 long years, then that alone is a remarkable feat. Yet, considering the state of the underground at the time—with bands like Blasphemy, Revenge, Conqueror, and Axis of Advance leading the charge—it's not all that surprising that such a raw, caveman-like recording never saw the light of day back then. What truly blew my mind, however, was the fact that a band I'd never even heard of suddenly emerged out of nowhere, with a release titled Sacrament of Blood, presented to us with full force by the likes of NWW and the Ross Bay Cult. It was enough to drive me insane.
This album is nothing less than the epitome of rawness and unrefinement, from start to finish. But don't get the wrong idea—this isn’t some poorly recorded, indecipherable mess. On the contrary, it feels like it was brewed in the infernal cauldrons of Antichrist itself, emitting a perfectly vile and toxic vapor to scorch your soul. Housing 11 deadly tracks, the album’s sound is a pure representation of black/death metal at its most savage—dripping with blasphemy, barbarism, and desecration. Remixed 16 years later by Stuart McKillop and a few others, this was undoubtedly the right move. Each track engulfs you in a suffocating fog of sin and buzzing night-terrors.
From the opening title track to the closing “Burning Crosses,” you’re trapped in a nuclear atmosphere of sonic warfare. The guitar tones are perfectly suited to channel the necrotic spirit of Blasphemy, while the slower sections bring to mind the chaotic energy of Beherit, complete with guttural growls and hellish incantations. Goat Fucker’s riffs—primitive and bursting with deranged death metal energy—perfectly complement the rabid, blood-vomiting vocals. His roar, his groans, his suffocating, echo-drenched delivery—everything adds up to an unholy assault of pure destruction. The record descends even further, spiraling into a vaginal blood ritual of absolute barbarity.
It would be no exaggeration to say this is a product of true Blasphemy worship—and fans of Black Witchery and Archgoat will find this impossible to ignore. Sacrament of Blood doesn’t sound like it was created by human hands. It doesn't resemble any earthly noise. Despite being recorded in 1994, I could easily place it among the top 5 releases of this year, and among the top 10 albums of the past two decades in this particular style. To simply say “I recommend this album” would be a gross understatement.