Whore of Bethlehem are a Brutal Death/ Black Metal outfit from Austin, Texas formed in 2009 and made two full-lengths with some minor changes in the band’s catalog. Prior to 2014’s Upon Judas’ Throne, Extinguish The Light is the sophomore album released independently on July 21st, 2017. Clocking in at 32:11 and 8 tracks, Extinguish The Light is undeniably relentless start to finish with organic presentation, sharp production and a hatred, blasphemous, horrific and Satanism themed lyricism that embraces the listener to strap on a spellbound journey to the lurking depths of hell. From the combinations of Old School Death Metal signature melodies reminiscent of Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse to the agonized brutality of endless passion, Whore of Bethlehem also has some Thrash compositions that’s absolutely unadulterated and constructed with Black Metal passages unleashing a waving force of sonic assaulted tempos to mid-paced instrumental melodic interpretations that is surrealistic.
To describe Whore of Bethlehem’s Extinguish The Light is unbelievably surprising as this Texan extreme metal band uses symbolic branches and Death Metal characteristics which monitors the admiring, answered and blistering Immolation esque fashioned riffs that are not only memorable but in a sense this album portrays a crunching, violent and Technical layered altercations which immortalizes the everlasting sweetness Extinguish The Light brings out best of both worlds. With tracks such as Rebirth In Fire, Parasitic Abominations and Ritual Purification, these songs showcases Blackened Death Metal atmospherics, Behemoth/ Goatwhore commandments and Enthroned shrieking vocal deliverances I couldn’t imagine how authentic and polished the mixing department for Extinguish The Light truly represented here. If you’re into Brutal Death Metal/ Blackened Death, 90’s Old School Death Metal and little Thrash Metal traces with a retribution so aggressive, menacing and borrowing Scandinavian chord patterns, Whore of Bethlehem’s Extinguish The Light is an album about abusing powerless creatures and swelling the lifeless of dying, admirable and darkened portals to the deepest underground passages with a laugh upon your wretched faces.
Overall score 8.5/10
Definitely recommended!
Review by Jake Butler
