German outfit ORACLE OF WORMS had put out a demo back in 2021 and a six song EP in 2023, both released independently. Now signed to the also German F.D.A. Records, the band kicks off things with their debut album “Cult Of Suffering”, showcasing a fusion of Death and Black Metal. In my humble opinion, keeping that mix of styles balanced is something that is a lot easier said than done. Here, ORACLE OF WORMS accomplishes a seamless blend, where the eerie, melodic Black Metal lines are perfectly balanced with the heavy and thick Death Metal atmosphere. The production fits the album flawlessly, with a clear mix that enhances the extremely detailed compositions. Yet, there is an ominous wickedness and grit in their sound, keeping up with the density of Death Metal. The only reference I can come up with is a heavier version of NECROPHOBIC’s “Spawned By Evil” era. As for the mastering, it is dynamic and it doesn’t feel bricked or saturated. This little detail is something that I welcome a lot and I’ve heard a bunch of new albums that, thankfully, left the “Compression Wars” era where it should be: buried and gone. Guitarists Niklas and Andy intertwine melodic and harmonic lines with tasty guitar solos and lots of tremolo picking. Freddy’s drums are on point; especially his surprisingly hard hitting blast beats and his sense rhythm, knowing when to leave space. Last but not least, Chris’ bass lines provide a tight backbone, plus his varied vocals, consisting of high pitched grunts and growls add a top layer of aggression to the already violent music output. What I really liked about ORACLE OF WORMS’ is their songwriting. It is clever and absorbing, yet straight to the point. They add a lot of elegant nuances and, keeping true to their form, they do it in the most hostile (dare I also say elegant?) way. “Cult Of Suffering” first reminded me of a lot of different bands and then I realized I had not heard a band that successfully combined some of the best aspects of these classics, adding their own take to them. This is simply a solid and uncompromising album. Great debut! Support the band here www.facebook.com/oracleofworms and get this album from their label here www.facebook.com/fdarec