Devouring Radiant Light

AlbumJul 20 / 20188 songs, 46m 8s
Melodic Black Metal
Popular Highly Rated

Since they hit the scene in 2003, Athens, Ohio\'s Skeletonwitch have always been more than just a thrash band—whether they were snapping necks with their breakout 2007 album, *Beyond the Permafrost*, or branching out on 2013’s melodic *Serpents Unleashed*. Their sixth LP (and first without vocalist Adam Clemans after he joined the band), *Devouring Radiant Light* showcases a seasoned, adventurous version of Skeletonwitch—one that’s more interested in exploring gloomy, dark corners than crushing beer cans and kicking up circle pits. The record still shreds while embracing genre agnosticism: On songs like the magisterial title track or the icy closer, “Sacred Seal,” shards of gothic doom, death metal, and proggy bombast jab at the band\'s more familiar thrash template.

7.9 / 10

The Ohio party animals scale back the turnt-up thrash of their past in favor of nuanced black metal—without losing their feral edge—on their first full-length with vocalist Adam Clemans.

C

In this week’s notable new releases: Hive Mind is a step forward for The Internet, while Devouring Radiant Light glimpses a more refined Skeletonwitch, and Ty Segall & White Fence mostly go folk on Joy.

System of a Down’s Daron Malakian releases his long-awaited second solo album, while Jamaican singer Popcaan follows up on his 2014 debut with ‘Forever’

9 / 10

After suddenly parting ways with their founding vocalist Chance Garnette while on tour in 2014, Skeletonwitch found themselves battling year...

8 / 10

Skeletonwitch begins a brand new era with a proper introduction.

3.0 / 5

A review of Devouring Radiant Light by Skeletonwitch, available July 25th in Japan via Avalon and July 20th worldwide via Prosthetic Records.

3.9 / 5

Skeletonwitch - Devouring Radiant Light review: Skeletonwitch have crafted one hell of a banger with “Devouring Radiant Light”; a wondrously executed record filled with viciousness and morose joy that sees the Ohio natives operating with an ingenious understanding of modern metal.<script src=