Review: “Sworn to Heresy“ by Exordium Mors

For the past two decades the howling winds of plague of Auckland New Zealand have haunted the blackened legions of Exordium Mors causing sleep depravation. Each night has brought fresh terrors and in order to release their pain and reach the nirvana of cathartic escape they have ruled with an iron fist, often delivering ruthless hostility in the face of poisoned anguish. Forging a path through blood red rivers with maniacal speed, blistering melody and reckless vitriol, they have mused on themes of Greco-Roman Paganism, Nietzscheanism, Satanism and Death worship, drawing influences from Black, Death and Thrash Metal. The departure of screamer in chief Mark Anthony Brooks aka Scourge following the 2022 arrival of critically acclaimed album “As Legends Fade and Gods Die” left a void, the quartet electing to soldier on with each remaining stringed assassin handing vocal duties rather than bring in someone fresh. 2024 also saw drummer Cameron James Sinclair has also exited stage left to be replaced by Allan “The Nomad” McLachlan (Rvkkvs, Nullifier). Hell awaits…

Recorded and mixed at Dynamic Rage Studio by Cam Sinclair and Raj Singarajah (Heresiarch, The Second Death, Resistance) before mastering at Primal Mastering by Luke Finlay (Dark Divinity, Amanaki, Parasitic Infestation), “Sworn to Heresy“ represents a dark new dawn for Exordium Mors. Going against the grain and choosing crystal-clear production breaks the convention of their genre stereotype but sacrifices nothing of their sound, making the record a curious first listen to say the least. “Dawn Of The Crimson” has a gloriously blackened introduction passage, building the momentum with a sinister urge. The caustic vocal disturbances from the unholy trinity of Santi, Black Mortum and Assailant confirm that the decision not to find a new vocalist was the right choice, each one offering a distinctive point of difference stylistically. Blood and thunder never had such meticulous attention to detail and the technicality of their cryptic writings is sublime, this cut in particular a demonstration of real power. “Torquemada” finds the quartet taking a similar approach with restless and relentless Black Metal drumming at breakneck speed accompanied by throat shredding vocals telling a tale of ancient evils and redemption. Flying solos add a surprising sense of melody initially, the fleeting moment of whammy bar at the end of the second a reminder of their Thrash influences and each one sublimely executed. There is an argument that if this had a raw edge from the production it would have nostalgic, tape trading era quality to it but actually the clarity serves these songs well. Another hurricane of percussive battery swirls as “Oath” takes form, the resulting sandstorm stripping flesh from bone as the riffs fly in all directions, the sheer speed of their onslaught a joy to behold. The soloing is once again impeccable with the hints of an 80’s sound rearing it ugly head. A triumphant return from a much loved band, “Sworn to Heresy“ feels like it is simply the tip of the iceberg [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Dawn Of The Crimson Sun
2. Torquemada
3. Oath

“Sworn to Heresy“ by Exordium Mors is out 1st March 2025 via Praetorian Sword Records and is available over at bandcamp.