3rd January 2026

Review: “Coast I” by Sardonic Allegiance

After fifteen years wandering the back streets of Rotterdam, Dutch Black Metal duo Sardonic Allegiance returned with their first new material since 2010’s “Germania Inferior” in April 2025. Seven songs for seven deadly sins, spilling over the poison chalice of forty five minutes have been split into two parts, one for April 2025 one for a January 2026, so as not to allow us to overdose. The first chapter is “Coast I” offering an unholy trinity of cuts from multi-instrumentalist Vasco “Triest” Lub and drummer Rick “Griendhakker” Lieffering (Fenris, The Darkest Red). Adorned by artwork from Gustavo Sazes (Morbid Angel, Arch Enemy, Firewind) the work is said to embrace an ever encroaching darkness with a flair for dynamic story telling…

Don’t be put off by the fact that there are only three tracks on this first installment because it still offers more than nineteen minutes of Melodic Black Metal with the title track “Coast” a fierce opening gambit. Pushing on Extreme Metal borders and boundaries, the cut is distinctively close to the second wave of the genre with sweeping solos and ethereal choral moments used to help create a dark and brooding atmosphere. There is a real pomp and circumstance to the rich melodies and the lead guitars give the whole piece a symphonic quality in the absence of any synths. Diving deeper into the poison well “Fire unto Flesh” has yet more epic majesty about it with vibrant soloing accompanying the caustic vocals with moments that offer just a hint of influence from Dimmu Borgir or Hecate Enthroned. Should this studio project ever grace the live stage a grand auditorium would be the bare minimum requirement for the cloaked figures to perform, such is the quality of the musicianship on display here. This one even has a few moments of programming to embellish, adding to the intoxicating formula with a spice that’s nice. A captivating final piece of the puzzle is revealed in the eight minute surpassing “Delusions Cataclysmic” with its rampaging riffs reflecting the dark beauty of nature whilst being smoother than waters reflection on a frosty morning. A song divided into movements, its cleverly constructed and executed to perfection in immersive fashion. It’s a glorious feeling to know that after fifteen long years Sardonic Allegiance remain a hidden gem that needs to be unearthed to witness the raw beauty they create [8/10]

Track Listing