7th September 2024

Review: “The Judas Paradox” by God Dethroned

A Dutch Extreme Metal act who have waged their war since 1991, God Dethroned have arrived at their twelfth studio album “The Judas Paradox” with vocalist and guitarist Henri Sattler the last man standing from those who delivered the infamous “Christ Hunt” demo. The years have not always been kind with regular line up changes and a two year hiatus but in their time they have still managed to share stages with Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel and Immortal to name but a few. Add to that notable performances at Wacken, Graspop and 70,000 Tons Of Metal and you may begin to understand the stature of a band who have been around for more than three decades. For this magnum opus, Sattler is joined by bassist Jeroen Pomper (ex-Absorbed, ex-The 8th Sin, ex-Icons of Brutality) who has been part of the project since 2014, with lead guitarist Dave Meester (Facelifter, Ghost of Mirach, ex-Apophys) appearing ahead of 2020’s well received “Illuminati” album. Drummer Frank Schilperoort (Occumancy, The Scarlet Claw, Veile) represents fresh blood, having been part of the group since 2021 this album is his first studio recording with the band…

Satanism, Anti-Christianity, Death, Blasphemy, Ancient Ones and World War I have been regular lyrical themes through the career of God Dethroned and that doesn’t change with “The Judas Paradox“. A thought provoking journey from Christian history to Greek mythology through the catacombs of religion, the story of Judas, the secrets of the Vatican, powerful demons, the symbolism behind tarot cards and the very nature of good and evil are all touched upon as it plays out. The journey down the left hand path begins with the title track “The Judas Paradox“, which is loosely Blackened Death Metal with some interesting almost Gothic overtones. Those come from backing vocals that have Type O Negative vibes about them, elevating the rumbling bass and thunderous percussion to give the track a majestic quality. The solo is of course in classical taste, perfectly fitting a tale told from Judas’s perspective, that Christ died for the free will he demonstrated with his actions. Flipping the switch on the transformer for “Rat Kingdom” the band become Black Metal speed demons with Schilperoort’s restless and relentless kit work masterful. The tremolo picking is outstanding while a solo from the dark side of Death Thrash is exactly what the edge of the seat was made for. As band, God Dethroned have reached a point where they have nailed a formula for diversity without compromise, so that each track has different stylistic elements while still sounding distinctively like the same band. None of the energy or momentum is lost as another tale of Judas Iscariot is told in “The Hanged Man“; Meester giving us an absolute face melter of a solo during the rampaging riff laden assault on the senses.

Interlude “Black Heart” then cleanses the mind with an ethereal, choral quality while stripping away the need for an extended introduction to “Asmodeus“, allowing it to go quickly from ember to inferno. An almost mournful quality to the lead guitars leans on Scandinavian roots, building on the Black Metal foundations to create something which verges on the epic with Sattler sounding wonderfully demonic throughout. Perhaps more in keeping with the style of the title track “Kashmir Princess” hints at ethnic influences in the riffs, the bass bleeding out into the mix at various points giving it more depth and texture. A mid tempo affair that doesn’t have the energy of the earlier cuts this one seems a little tame but then comes “Hubris Anorexia” which rips your head off in the first few seconds. A ferocious cut with more bark and bite it has a well timed melodic break with medieval vibes before rising like a phoenix from the ashes with a majestic extended solo. Demonic roars and rampaging finale should be enough to crack a smile on the face of even the most hardened Metal Head, this mid album cut a demonstration of prowess. For those not familiar with God Dethroned despite their legacy, there is nothing in the voice of Sattler to give away where the band are from. They could be British or American with the accenting here, something which stands out on “The Eye of Providence” like a hammer smashed thumb. An Extreme Metal cut in classical style that feels utterly timeless, it confirms Sattler’s storytelling capabilities have not deserted him despite the years under the bridge while cementing the stature of the musicians he has at his command in the current line up of the band.

Sinister and menacing and yet having a couple of soaring solos at its beating black heart, “Hailing Death” is a heavy hitter in blood spitting fashion with a well balanced contrast between the darkness and the light. A hummable melody is infectious and will have you coming back to the album time and again, returning stylistically in the punchy “Broken Bloodlines“. Staccato riff breaks and jack hammer footwork during the verses give this one its dark undercurrent of poisonous venom, the demonic vocals delivering an ominous message of impending doom. Blast beats? Who doesn’t love blast beats? “War Machine” brings this collection to a fitting conclusion as a track that brings together all the elements that came before it in a single piece. All in all and album which proves that these past masters still have what it takes to give us an album with layers of dark, heavy riffs and nuanced classical touches… resistance is futile! [8.5/10]

Track Listing