Satanic Warmaster "Exultation Of Cruelty" 2CD Special edition bonus disc!!

Descripción This newest album by the infamous Satanic Warmaster has really surprised me. I have been a fan of the artist nearly since I began listening to black metal. I don't think any of the recent work was bad--quite the contrary--but this is on a different level compared to anything to come from the band in many years. I think the material on Exultation of Evil is nearly on par with the first three albums. I would like to say that this is the best album since Carelian Satanist Madness, but I do need to revisit Nachzehrer and Fimbulwinter.
Exultation of Evil is a rebirth of the early years of Satanic Warmaster, having a sound that is very reminiscent of Opferblut and Carelian Satanist Madness especially. There is an aspect of the songwriting that feels more refined and mature as opposed to the rawness of the first three records. The album is rather long with a runtime just short of an hour, but it doesn't overstay its welcome at all. I don't feel that a second is wasted here, with all of the tracks remaining enjoyable for their entire duration. Even the final track, A Dead Rose for a Dying World, which runs just short of ten minutes, is a fantastic listen all the way through.
The songs on this album capture all of the great strengths of Satanic Warmaster that have been refined over its two and a half decades of life. The album begins with punchy, furious riffs and transitions in the second half to more emotional, ballad-esque tracks. I think of all the previous works, this reminds me the most of Opferblut, even in the aforementioned structure of transitioning from a tone of fury to one of melancholy.
I would rank this album amongst the very best of black metal in 2024. Anyone who has enjoyed the previous works of Satanic Warmaster should absolutely listen to this record. I will be picking this up when the LP comes out, and maybe even the CD too. Nothing but greatness in this album.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=nzL7q29tASo&list=RDnzL7q29tASo&start_radio=1&t=1039s