Review: “Omen” by Argorok

From humble beginnings as a studio project, over the past six years Epic Death Metal outfit Argorok have been winning over audiences at both festivals and intimate club shows with their crushing riffs, cinematic atmospheres and intensely captivating live presence. In that time the Dresden Germany based quintet have offered up two albums in 2020’s “Usurpator” and 2024’s “Obscurum” which blend groove laden Melodic Death, Industrial and Folk Metal with lyrics in their native tongue. In a show of ambition, that last record features a guest vocal appearance from Pether Hantsche of German Melodic Death Metal force Burn Down Eden. This time around Aello, vocalist of the Folk Metal veterans Harpyie joins the party.

There is something commanding about vocals in certain languages that helps give some bands an unmistakable presence and there can be no doubt that for Argorok using their native tongue is a masterstroke because it gives them a real edge with a sense of the dramatic. They introduce us to their world of darkness with “Ambrosia“, pulsating programming making waves that are broken by the spark of some ethnic sounds before the guitars come down like a tsunami wave and wash it all away. Whats interesting is that the ethnic sounds only top and tail the track, the band opting to stick to Industrially tinged Melodic Death Metal sounds the the majority of the piece.

After such a strong opening cut “Enklave” (or “Enclave“) features a guest appearance from Aello, vocalist of the Folk Metal veterans Harpyie rears its ugly head with instant head-bang appeal thanks to a crunchy, groove laden main riff. Impressively both vocalists go toe to toe throughout the track rather than Aello being reduced to a short verse, something which works very well because of the contrast between his softer vocals and the fierce ones of Boa. As a track its been designed for maximum impact and hits like a building site wrecking ball, the cinematic embellishments a nice touch.

The mournful acoustic introduction to “Stadt der Tränen” (or “City of Tears“) sets the tone for another powerhouse tune, the melancholic and yet vibrant solo on this one utterly spellbinding. What Argorok have mastered is the ability to create captivating songs that have a real power to them, grabbing the attention and holding it with the sheer sense of scale they are able to produce. Each song sounds massive, the studio work behind the boards seriously impressive.

“Götterdämmerung” (or “Twilight of the Gods“) also has that gloriously cinematic edge, embellished with keys and orchestrations that elevate the song into the next realm of existence without being in any way, shape or form overpowering. There is also a captivating melancholic instrumental passage on this one which hints and influences from Scandinavia, the bands epic ways painting pictures in the minds eye of Viking battles in Valhalla and of course Amon Amarth. The only issue with this is that it leaves you wanting more… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Ambrosia
2. Enklave (ft. Aello of Harpyie)
3. Stadt der Tränen
4. Götterdämmerung

“Omen” by Argorok is out 12th June 2026 and is available over at bandcamp