DARK DIVINITY
“MESSIANIC”
E.P. Review by Chris Palmer

8/10

Hailing from Wellington, New Zealand comes Melodic Death Metal five-piece Dark Divinity. Formed in 2017, the band is made up of Jolene Tempest (Vocals), Reece Davies (Guitars), Paul Stewart (Guitars), Dave Grinder (Bass), and Ian Moir (Drums).

On the 22nd May, the band released its debut E.P. “Messianic” independently, and I was given the pleasure of reviewing it for Metal Gods TV.

The E.P. runs for almost eighteen minutes, which is divided up into five tracks. Opening number, “Set In Stone” launches straight for the jugular with an epic onslaught of shredding guitars, powerhouse rhythms and a larynx-shredding vocal attack from Jolene. With barely a second to breathe, you’re introduced to “Vertigo” by the sounds of Ian’s drums, before those punishing riffs respond, sending you into a bout of frenzied headbanging. It’s a hard task to keep up, as Reece and Paul rip you to shreds with impressive guitar-playing. Meanwhile, Dave’s bass powers through the headphones, as he maintains the heavy rhythm of this vertigo-inducing number.

“Cambion” arrives with the sounds of guitars, before the rhythm section joins proceedings. Beautiful guitar solos enter the fray, as the band direct you through this short instrumental and into the fiercely punishing “Night Of The Witches”. The venom spewing forth from Jolene, together with this monstrous track’s rhythm, really gets the testosterone boiling and you’ll be stomping around the pit in no time at all! Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and this terrific little E.P. finishes with another bout of heavy brutality with the impressive “Seasons Of Dark”.

Overall, “Messianic” is a solid effort containing brain-melting riffs and punishing grooves that’ll give you motion sickness throughout its duration. Sure, the band aren’t delivering anything new to a rather saturated scene with this release. However, spend a few minutes with the likes of “Night Of The Witches” or “Set In Stone”, and you’ll discover the glorious abilities of this New Zealand quintet, which will have you begging for more (or mercy, depending on your musical tastes and limitations). Dark Divinity is a band at the infancy of its career, and will surely grow in stature with each passing release. I, for one, intend on sticking around because this quintet is worth keeping an eye on.

TRACKLIST

Set In Stone
Vertigo
Cambion
Night Of The Witches
Seasons Of Dark

https://darkdivinity.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/pg/darkdivinitynz

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