GOD DETHRONED
The Judas Paradox
Reigning Phoenix Music
In the endless circle of discussion of band x or y having never released a bad album, Dutch ancients GOD DETHRONED are not often given a seat at the table. And that's a damn shame because none of their output is bad. Sure, like anything involving taste, and subjectivity, quality issues may or may not occur. But bad? No. Mello(w) death is best.
Back after four years and an arguable career best in the form of previous album Illuminati, and on new label home Reigning Phoenix Music, GOD DETHRONED take a deep dive into religion, folklore, oral tradition and general storytelling on The Judas Paradox. Get your silver ready to give for the sacrifice.
Death metal lyrics have historically either been excellent or, well, about death (or gore, or gory death). I strongly encourage having the lyric sheet ready when listening to The Judas Paradox, not because of any overarching theme per se, but because each song is itself a journey. I'd almost say it's more fun to read than to listen to, but that would be a disservice to the music, which is once again some of the strongest in the bands' storied history.
There has never been much fat to trim from GOD DETHRONED in terms of album bloat - they are masters at self editing and know exactly where their strengths are. In truth, over the course of eleven albums, the melodic underpinnings of the GOD DETHRONED machine steady it, ready it, embolden it. Not much has changed here in The Judas Paradox and therein lies, well, the paradox: do we want to see artistic growth? I don't mean everyone should be AC/DC, but would a little forward movement really blow up your video? I am at once conflicted and not, because GOD DETHRONED does not make bad albums. They do, like everyone and everything, suffer from the law of diminishing returns.
The title track begins these proceedings, if you could please have a seat. And try not to nod off. As much as it pains me to say it, things do not start off well - at worst for a death metal album, The Judas Paradox starts off lazy. Better to read than listen to, just skip it. It's the longest song on the album and could be half the time, just look at the rest of the track listing.
"Rat Kingdom" fixes things in short order, with an undeniable hook and tremolo verging on Black Metal, a bedfellow GOD DETHRONED has long since been no stranger to, and the overall proceedings are better for it. Follow up "The Hanged Man" doubles down on the Death Metal sides of GOD DETHRONED but with the added spice of some very understated melody in the background. Strain your ears a bit, it's there. Great bass work here, as well. Stop listening to this through your phone.
A standout comes somewhat late in the game, but "Kashmir Princess" is a perfect distillation of everything that makes GOD DETHRONED great. And, come on, it's a great song title for any artist - an amazing song title for a Death Metal band. Elsewhere, "Hailing Death" is an absolute banger, the band ruthlessly battering the listener into submission. Marching ever forward, and closing with the aptly titled "War Machine", The Judas Paradox ultimately finishes strong after a few missteps (at least to my ears). GOD DETHRONED don't make bad albums. Our puzzling encounters considered, this is one paradox I will attempt to solve long into the future.
2.75 Out Of 5.0
