Necrophobic

Having recently, and rightfully, parted ways with vocalist Tobias Sidegård, following charges of domestic abuse, Swedish blackened death metallers Necrophobic are forging ahead, releasing their latest album, Womb of Lilithu, as planned. Four years following the release of Death to All, Womb of Lilithu marks the band's seventh full-length and features their brand of heavily black metal-influenced death metal, as well as melodic and thrash elements. The titular opener is a dark, symphonic intro that sets an ominous, dismal tone before "Splendour Nigri Solis" kicks in with blasting drums and a variety of harsh, cutting riffs that are carried on through to the slightly more melodic "Astaroth." Black metal-soaked tracks follow with "Furfur," featuring a straightforward structure and fast, thrash-esque guitar passages, while "Black Night Raven" is more of a traditional, Dark Funeral-/Watain-style number. Diverse and comprised of well-written, well-executed tracks, Womb of Lilithu leaves an indelible impression.