Devouring Radiant Light

Skeletonwitch - Devouring Radiant Light
Critic Score
Based on 9 reviews
2018 Ratings: #176 / 890
User Score
Based on 122 ratings
2018 Rank: #254
Liked by 5 people
July 20, 2018 / Release Date
LP / Format
Prosthetic / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Exclaim!

Devouring Radiant Light is like the James Bond of metal albums — it's mature and well-composed, yet lethal enough to be badass.

90
MetalSucks

Devouring Radiant Light is a gargantuan statement that somehow tucks itself into three quarters of an hour. From songwriting to production value, from performance mastery to the control and channeling of influences, everything about Devouring Radiant Light is exciting, commanding and compelling.

80
The Independent

With Skeletonwitch, by and large, falling under the umbrella term of black metal, it’s unsurprising that Devouring Radiant Light should be as heavy and as blisteringly uncompromising a record as it is. That said, while certainly an exercise in catharsis, it’s also a nuanced release, perfectly exhibiting the band’s understanding of black metal’s more refined facets.

80
Metal Injection

Devouring Radiant Light is a very strong effort. Any new fans of the band that are into the genre will be into it. Anyone expecting a new Skeletonwitch record will be in for a shock though.

79
Pitchfork
For the first time in their decade-plus career, nuance is just as important as nastiness, and it pays off in spades.
78
Sputnikmusic

Devouring Radiant Light is anything but commercial or standard; it’s a raucous and vicious black metal record in the vein of Reinkaos era Dissection, with heavy middle-era Enslaved implications.

75
A.V. Club
It’s unpretentious, meaty stuff built for headbanging and not much more.
Aoaystheory
90

Good Wholesome Black Metal

chunderz
83

Skeletonwitch have always been a good band, but you felt like they were holding back a little bit, or were capable of so much more. With 'Devouring Radiant Light,' such a critique no longer exists.

Immediately when opener "Fen of Shadows" begins its blatant onslaught on the listener's ears, it is evident that this is an album that exudes confidence. This is due to a level of songwriting and production prowess of monolithic proportions. "Temple of the Sun" is one of the more ... read more

zachthesnack
87

This album is the definition of EPIC.

From the very first, radiant guitar chord I was hooked. Skelton witch took me on a journey through the atmospheric realm of Thrash and Black Metal. This thing felt truly sinister. The low growls on here are insane and their drummer must have a third mechanical arm or something, because I have no idea how he was able to do some of those sequences. This went a bit under the radar, and is easily on of my sleeper picks for 2018, go check it out!

cglaume
75

C’est vrai, Skeletonwitch délaisse de plus en plus son pur-sang Heavy / Thrash / Black / Punk pour se faire des virées en traîneau avec ses copains pandas des neiges. N’empêche, les ballades restent agréables, les mélodies lumineuses, et la qualité au rendez-vous. Alors malgré un éventuel mouvement de recul initial (c’est quoi cette pochette? c’est quoi ces ambiances à 85% beuhmeuhisantes?), il faudra ... read more

Bludfhart
82

This album shows a more melodic black metal side of Skeletonwitch than the thrashier side they're known for, and it just rips from start to finish. I love that they explore a darker sound on most of this record, with almost every track showcasing an epic story of riffs and song structure. New vocalist is perfect fit as well, and really drives these tracks to their max potential.

Fen of Shadows 9.5
When Paradise Fades 7.5
Temple of the Sun 7
Devouring Radiant Light 9.5
The Luminous Sky 8
The ... read more

SchmutapaHell
80

Originally rated using RYM's rating scale.
HURKENDORF: 5/5
Stuntz: 3.5/5
Hompan: 3.5/5
EternalBantuman: 3.5
Blearbird: 2.5/5
Lorago: 5/5
COOOOKIE-DOOOOD: 4/5

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Added on: April 26, 2018