Horned Almighty – Contagion Zero

Rising from the ashes of the past, Danish black metal veterans Horned Almighty return with their seventh studio album entitled Contagion Zero. It has been released via Soulseller Records in the middle of the summer, which partly explains why it went under my radar for so long.

Contagion Zero is band’s seventh full-length effort in a career spanning over three decades (founded in 2002). It consists of only seven tracks, clocking in at a concise 36 minutes, of intense black metal, firmly rooted in genre tradition of the 90s. As a whole, this album is extremely energetic, fierce, and technically exceptionally executed album. Thus, from dissonant looming darkness, to frenzied aggression and everything in between, it’s all present on this record.

The only complain I have is the lack of catchy tunes, a bit more variation, memorable and unexpected sounds, as to times some of the tracks never quite grabs listener’s attention fully. The only unexpected thing is that the opening “The Messiah Scourge” is album’s longiest track, spanning over seven minutes, with some catchy and almost rock tunes and an overall ride through different soundscapes. The following, “Gospels of Sickness” is dipping into atmospheric black metal territory with their intense poundings. Meanwhile, a stand-out track for me is the one called “Furnace of Sulphur and Fire” – mainly due to its effective and convincing delivery and this slower and doomier vibe.

Almost three decades into their career as black metal horde they are now revisiting the fires of darkness, which initially gave birth to the creation of the band at the beginning of the millennium. This opus, although not perfect, is solidifying quartet’s reputation for creating dark, atmospheric, sincere and compelling black metal.

In conclusion; Contagion Zero witness the rebirth of Horned Almighty – a new era of musical misery can begin with one of their strongest albums to date! Recommended for old fans of this four-piece legion from Denmark, but also devotees of the dark arts and bands as Enslaved, Khold, Shining, Celtic Frost, Autopsy, Mortuous, Discharge, Death etc. will find it entertaining enough.

To celebrate the release, the entire thing is now streaming online in full over at the Soulseller Records channel below. Interested in further information on this particular release then visit https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/contagion-zero