Review: “Thy Kingdom Come” by Acts Of Vengeance

Recorded in the depths of winter in 2025, “Thy Kingdom Come” is an exploration of the dark themes of Gods, false messiahs and corrupted power from Hertfordshire Metal heads Acts of Vengeance. Known for creating a sonic cocktail that blends Thrash with Death and Black Metal to create a bubbling cauldron of fury, the four piece are refreshed and rejuvenated with the arrival of new members to help lead guitarist Martin Machin (Moratorium, Nyx) in battle. Curiously the band cite last years EP “Scars Of War” as part of the inspiration behind this new affair, having learned how to better marry melodic harmonies with their signature aggression during the writing process for that record.

Four EPs and a full length album in twelve years is a decent return in anyone’s book so when members departed it must have been hard not to consider folding Acts Of Vengeance and starting a fresh project after a break. Lead guitarist Martin Machin isn’t one for giving up the dream however and on the strength of this new EP it’s clear that he made the right decision. In short, he’s managed to do the unthinkable in finding like minded musicians quickly, dropping a new EP and getting the four piece into this years Metal to The Masses for a shot at Bloodstock Open Air Festival this summer.

Depicting a kingdom of pain with humanity enslaved, title track “Thy Kingdom Come” is a brute of an opening cut during which the rise of evil with malevolent intent becomes a glorious subject. Thunderous percussive battery, rumbling bass and razor sharp riffs are one thing but add an incendiary pair of face melting solos with Trivium vibes about them to the mix and your Jack Daniels and Coke goes from being a tasty single to mighty double. As if the harsh vocals with comprehendible lyrics weren’t enough on the first cut, they seem to have a more vicious bite on “Idolatry“, the flames of hatred burning in the eyes and heart of their screamer. Bursts of blast beats provide an artillery shelling to augment the galloping drums, the breakneck speed riffing rich in dark melody despite the vicious onslaught. Paying homage to Sepultura and Slayer in the final third is a wonderfully nostalgic touch and by the end of this explosive affair you can just feel the urge for the band to race into “Raining Blood“.

Punching back with the Groove Death of “Deity” or “Deity of Destruction” to give it the lyrical title makes for a stone cold winner, the solo once again nothing short of masterful. A dense and direct cut, its stronger than a cup of Skull Crusher coffee (other brands are available) and will without a shadow of a doubt incite mosh pit madness when they take it to the stage. It’s one of those cuts that if a bigger band like say Lamb Of God released it as there own, no one would bat an eyelid. It’s that good. Ensuring that the cliché that is all killer no filler is fulfilled “Gods of the War” has a real verve, swagger and air of confidence about it as it brings the house down. Chunky, groove laden riffs and an edge of the seat solo are instantly appealing as is the easily scream-along lyrical narrative. Make no mistake, you’ll want to come back to this time and time again because its got everything you could possibly want and then some about it [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Thy Kingdom Come
2. Idolatry
3. Deity
4. Gods of the War

“Thy Kingdom Come” by Acts Of Vengeance is out 31st May