Review LORD BELIAL ‘Unholy Trinity’

Hailing from Trollhättan, Sweden, Lord Belial is one of the pioneering bands in the Swedish black metal scene. Founded in 1992, the band premiered in 1995, marking the beginning of an on-and-off setup. Lord Belial has disbanded three times, but always found common ground to continue their blackened metal journey.

Their latest reunion was in 2020, and ‘Rapture’ is the first album in this new era. It was their first studio effort in 14 years, and the process of creating its successor was much more efficient. Within three years, the band finished work on ‘Unholy Trinity’, which marks a milestone in their careeras it is their tenth studio album which features nine songs.

With Andy LaRocque at the helm, the first noticeable thing is the vigorous sound that blasts out of the speakers when listening to the opening track, ‘Ipse Venit.’ Sinister riffs and a haunting pace characterize the song and are also the ingredients of ‘Glory to Darkness’. The latter, however, has a more dramatic vibe and shows some versatility within the black metal genre.

Each song stares at you with a hellish grin, and even the acoustic intro to “Serpent’s Feast” gives you the shivers. Combined with a choral background, the song is a flaming ode to black metal.

Straight from the abyss comes “In Chaos Transcend.” With a moderate speed as its foundation, the song spreads the hellish heat of purgatory. Without shying away from basic melodies, this harsh piece of music unfolds a sinister, dark atmosphere.

‘The Whore’ is a standout track, with its straightforward extreme metal style setting the stage for the pulsating ‘Scornful Vengeance’. With well-placed tempo breaks, the song alternates between atmospheric parts and frenzied outbursts.

“The Great Void” begins with an acoustic element before evolving into an uncompromising black metal song. At the same time, dramatic moments are embedded, which strengthen the main theme.

The marching “Antichrist” marks the end of the album and provides a fitting conclusion. With ‘Unholy Trinity’, Lord Belial deliver an album that echoes oldschool black metal. Blasting parts, haunting riffs, and a devilish atmosphere make this release well-forged, with the purgatory being the source of heat. Despite their roots in the ’90s, Lord Belial delivers an album that sounds powerful and dense. The trio impressively transports the spirit of the ’90s into the present.