The following was written by A Scar For The Wicked, whose new record Acolythus is now streaming. Check the band out on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.
We are an Ottawa-based death metal band, and we're thrilled to present our latest album. This release contains 9 tracks, each one embodying one of the 9 sins of hell . The songs delve into the dark narratives of heretic hooded figures, blending fierce riffs, aggressive drums, and vocals that range from high-pitched screams to low growls. Every songs off the album contains a solo. Prepare yourself for a journey through the infernal depths, brought to life through an intense and melodic soundscapes.
Seven Wraiths
"Seven Wraiths" sets the stage as the first song of the album with a dark melodic approach. The song opens with tremolo picking and string skipping riffs, driven by fast blast beats, creating a powerful and dismal atmosphere.
"Seven Wraiths" sets the stage for our descent into the infernal realms. This track plunges into the fate of the unbaptized, who are cast into the first circle of hell. They face a harrowing choice: undergo a dark initiation to become wraiths, pledging themselves to a cult of damnation, or be cast to eternal despair in the river Acheron…
The Ophidiant Offspring
"The Ophidian Offspring" delves deeply into the sin of lust, painting a vivid and chilling narrative. The track tells the harrowing tale of a nocturnal spirit, a succubus/incubus, that enters the dream realm of a pious daughter. Under the guise of seductive charm, the spirit invades her dreams and impregnates her with its malevolent seed. As she awakens from this nightmarish encounter, she is seized by convulsing agony,
Musically, the song opens with heavy riffs going back to back, setting a dark and powerful tone. This is followed by the album's longest solo, showcasing melodic and technical guitar work. The track concludes with chugging riffs, creating a relentless and crushing finish. The drums throughout are sophisticated and well-written, adding to the song's complexity and intensity. "
Drowned In Gluttony
The third track (Drowned In Gluttony) explores the sin of gluttony through the tortured mind of a literary writer, deranged by the terrors of his past. As he writes the stories of his depraved life, he attempts to drown his sorrow in drink, seeking to forget the haunting memories. This futile escape only deepens his spiral into madness. The haunting line, "I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity," borrowed from Edgar Allan Poe, echoes throughout the track, capturing the essence of his descent.
Musically, The song begins with a powerful, heavy riff that sets a dark and intense tone. Following the intro, the track transitions into a series of technical riffs that showcase intricate guitar work. Toward the end of the song, there's a distinct breakdown that offers a moment of contrast and tension, giving listeners a brief respite before the final section. The track concludes with an intriguing solo, characterized by melodic complexity
Golden Touch Of Eternity
The fourth track (Golden Touch Of Eternity) The theme of this song is avarice, illustrated through the tragic story of King Midas. His insatiable greed leads him to wish that everything he touches turns to gold. This wish becomes a curse, as he finds himself unable to eat or drink, ultimately starving to death.
Musically, The song starts off with a heavy, slow-building riff that sets a foreboding atmosphere, The following riffs feature a blend of heavy, technical lead guitar lines. The song transitions into a beefy riff, over which a compelling solo unfolds. This track is the most drum oriented song of the album.
Despicable Existence
Self-hatred, focusing on a man who is writing a suicide letter to his friends and family. He is grappling with the decision to end his own life, reflecting on how each choice he has made has led him to a profound sense of self-disgust and disdain.
Musically, This song is one of our personal favorite Powerful, crushing riffs drive the track, emphasizing the gravity of the theme. Fast Tremolo Picking adds intensity over a melodic solo mirroring the emotional turmoil of the lyrics. A beautiful neoclassical chorus provides a melodic contrast, enhancing the emotional depth of the song with Subtle synths in the background to add atmospheric depth, enriching the overall soundscape.
Acolythus
The sixth track "Acolythus" serves as the main theme song and self-titled track of the album. It delves into the sin of blasphemy, focusing on the sixth circle of hell. The song portrays a dark, twisted depiction of a cult devoted to the dark lord, presenting an inverted version of Christ through rituals of blood and sacrilege. The cult's worship is depicted as a perverse inversion of holy rites, emphasizing their eternal damnation and the blasphemous nature of their devotion. They are forever the servants.
Musically, this track is a catchy composition "Acolythus" stands out as the catchiest song on the album, with a blend of memorable and engaging elements. From melodic riffs and technical Solos, heavy down-picked riffs drive the song, providing a powerful and intense foundation. Not one single riffs in this track is being repeated twice. The track concludes with a heavy breakdown that intensifies the experience, followed by a final solo that provides a dramatic and satisfying finish. This track combines all the elements of what A scar for the wicked is all about. Being the song that stands out the most out of the album.
Into A Coalescent Damnation
The seventh track "Into a Coalescent Damnation" delves deeply into the seventh circle of hell, specifically targeting the sub-circle of violence against oneself. The song vividly portrays the tragic tale of a protagonist who chooses to end his life through hanging. Upon his death, his body becomes intertwined with the roots of a tree, symbolizing his eternal punishment and the merging of his soul with the forest of the damned. This imagery reflects Dante's depiction of the suicide forest in Inferno, where those who took their own lives are condemned to be forever bound to the trees.
Musically, the song opens with a dynamic string-skipping riff that sets a powerful and intricate tone. This riff merges seamlessly into a fast-paced section, driving the song forward with energy. A heavy, headbanging riff follows, providing a powerful groove and emphasizing the song's intensity. The track features a compelling solo that adds an emotional and technical flourish. The chorus begins with fast, brutal tremolo picking that enhances the song’s aggressive edge. This transitions into a melodic, technical riff that adds complexity and contrast. The chorus returns, repeating the tremolo and melodic elements to reinforce the song's central themes.
Sacrificial Genocide
The eighth song, "Sacrificial Genocide" explores the sin of fraud through the narrative of a deceiver who corrupts and manipulates the devout followers of Christ. He presents himself as the second coming of God and entices them to drink from what he claims is the blood of Christ, promising salvation for their souls. In reality, the wine is poisoned, leading to a mass suicide within the church. As he gathers their souls, he transcends to a higher form.
Musically, this eatures a super catchy and memorable intro that grabs the listener's attention from the start. Includes powerful and crushing riffs. The chorus is both melodic and technical, offering a contrast to the heavier sections. An immense chuggy breakdown adds depth and intensity, followed by a solo with chromatic notes that highlights technical proficiency. The song contains two solos; the first enhances the melodic and emotional aspects of the song, while the second focuses on chromatic notes, adding complexity and flair.
Son Of Dawn
The ninth and last song of the album "Son of Dawn" delves into the sin of treachery by recounting the downfall of Lucifer through the perspective of his acolytes. The song serves as a solemn eulogy to the dark lord, reflecting on his fall from grace and their anticipation of his eventual return. The narrative captures the reverence of those who await his prodigal return, adding depth to the theme of betrayal.
Musically, the song is the fastest and most technical of the album, featuring super-fast guitar playing and blast beats. Includes heavy, intense riffs .Features a fast-picking solo that showcases technical proficiency and adds to the song’s intensity. Ends with a high-energy riff, wrapping up the album with a strong and intense finish. The song was the last written for the album, hinting at future directions for the band.
Final thoughts
Overall, this album represents our best work to date and marks our first full-length release. It provides a glimpse into the direction we plan to take with our next project with "A Scar for the Wicked." We're thrilled to already have a handful of new songs in development for the next album, which we anticipate will be released in the coming years. We're excited to begin this new chapter and explore new creative avenues.
