Band: Spearhead
Title: Theomachia
Label: Agonia Records
Distribution: Agonia Records - Bertus
Release date: April 22nd 2011
Review: CD

One of UK’s mightiest bands return with their third full length opus, Theomachia (Θεομαχια), produced and engineered by J.G. Arellano (Ulver, Code, Aura Noir) at the Orgone Studio, and recorded with session assistance on drums by former Belphegor-member Torturer.
As from the first seconds on, Theomachia makes clear it goes on in the vein of the former albums. The devastating and apocalyptic Black-assaults come with a (guitar) sound as deadly as many American colleagues (think: Nile, Angelcorpse, Morbid Angel, etc.), and this perfect equilibrium (Death versus Black) has never been as emotionally perfect as in Spearhead’s case. Tastefully worked out!
The main tempo is fast, including blasting explosions, and it makes the whole sound enormously hostile, militant and warlike. The decelerations mostly come at the right time, adding an extra dimension of I-love-Armageddon-beauty.
A pity: too little variation between the individual tracks. Repetitive drum patterns, equally-sounding bass and guitar riffs, it’s a con. Yet it contrasts with lots of pros (sound, performance, and most parts in general), and therefore a logical priority release.
Nice extra detail: the sampled Apok-Industrial intermezzo Praesagium…
Not Spearhead’s best material to date, yet simply nice grimness in an audible package.

80/100

Ivan Tibos.