Review: “Path Of Divinity” by Olamot

In 2022 with their debut EP “Realms“, Italian Extreme Metal project Olamot told the story of Raziel, an individual who aspires to ally with the Devil to become a divinity himself. They did so with the help of members of Fleshgod Apocalypse and Despite Exile and in doing so left a lasting impression akin to a branding iron to the cranium. Returning with the next chapter in the story based on Raziel’s quest to escape from Hell, guitarist duo Daniele Boccali (Fictio Solemnis) and Edoardo Casini (Xenofaction, Desource) are joined by vocalist Matteo “Shade” Vitelli for a debut full length album titled “Path Of Divinity“…

…an instrumental of dark cinematic majesty sets the scene in “Eternal Sorrow“, a piece rich in orchestration as it builds from a simple yet elegant passage of acoustic guitar to leave you wondering just what wickedness this way comes as it cleanses the mind of all thought. The answer to that question arises from the black depths to strike at the throat with a vicious blend of Progressive Technical Death Metal as “Everlasting Chains Of Darkness” rears its ugly head. A beast of track that finds Vitelli demonstrating demonic vocal prowess that reaches unhinged levels towards the end, it feels fast and loose with an alarming sense of freedom that’s almost unnerving. The next chapter in this dark tale of abhorrence is “Human Cloning Facilities“, a nasty piece of science fiction horror that has riffs flying in all directions while being chemically enhanced by the earlier orchestration. Vitelli pulls out of the Wizards hat some hitherto unheard death defying, bowel clenching guttural lows during a brutal breakdown section which threatens to register as seismic activity and leaves you wondering just down depraved Olamot can get.

After that nasty moment “Where Chaos Reigns” sounds like Ingested getting eclectic with their brand of brutality, the artillery shelling percussive battery providing the covering fire for some incredible rhythmic gymnastics in the blistering guitars. As it flows it comes in waves, like a rough sea crashing against the shoreline during a midnight storm. Brutal and ominous, the dark forces collide creating the kind of monstrosity that summons forth “Behold the Highest Throne“, a mid album cut that threatens to slow things down but instead only increases the intensity. What’s clever about it is the way in which the orchestral embellishments have been kept minimal to provide nuance rather than allowing them to overpower the guitars, which are without a doubt the star of the show. The solo on this one sounds almost deranged, cutting against the brutal rhythmic prowess like a leaf caught in a force ten gale, which is utter genius.

A classy 20 seconds of Death Groove ignites “Adrenochrome” before it descends into madness once more, the Italians showing the Americans how its done in their part of the World. That pattern is repeated before a brutal passage of staccato riff breaks flies into another deranged solo with incredible dexterity. On paper it shouldn’t fit together cohesively but the reality is often stranger than the dream and the result is nothing short of a savage assault on the senses. Angular riffs keep coming with urgency as the violent turbulence continues into “Soul Harvest“, another flamboyant display of electric and eccentric Death Metal brutality that is nothing short of jaw dropping. A little programming gives this one another dimension but in truth it still hits harder than a wrecking ball, the restless and relentless kit work as evil as Vitelli’s laughter.

As an album this one has a great flow to it, the pace and energy electrifying throughout. Its clear that a lot of thought has been put into these cuts to ensure that each one has maximum impact and the way the punishing Deathcore mid section of “Luciferic Allegiance” breaks out into another blistering solo is majestic. The vocals are as searingly intense as the music and despite its rich darkness what Olamot have created is something that heightens the senses and makes you feel more alive. One more time with feeling? The final cut is the deepest in “All Seeing Eye“, a track which finds the band at their most lethal. The extended solo is the finest on offer here, while almost ethereal nuanced sounds in the background add an eerie sense of evil. That is something you notice more on repeated listens because its blown out of the water by a skull crushing mid section that combines all the destructive forces the band have in their arsenal into one huge bomb blast. They say that some like it hot; if you do then Olamot are the Carolina Reaper of Brutal Death Metal [8.5/10]

1. Eternal Sorrow (Intro)
2. Everlasting Chains Of Darkness
3. Human Cloning Facilities
4. Where Chaos Reigns
5. Behold the Highest Throne
6. Adrenochrome
7. Soul Harvest
8. Luciferic Allegiance
9. All Seeing Eye

“Path Of Divinity” by Olamot is out 29th April 2024 via Lethal Scissor Records and is available over at bandcamp