In an ever-increasingly rich and exciting underground Death Metal scene in the UK, Celestial Sanctuary have been a prominent standard bearer and the ones most likely to break out to bigger things. 2021’s Soul Diminished was a case of a very strong debut album which also showed strong potential to be realised and was backed up with some feverishly received live outings, with the band maximising their opportunities with the likes of Undeath, so expectations on the follow up were always going to be high. Expectations which have been well and truly smashed with the immensely realised Insatiable Thirst For Torment (Church Road Records).

From the offset the follow-up showcases both a clearer production value which does not lose any of that gritty, old-school Death Metal tone and atmosphere, nor does it feel like it is a mere imitation of the legends of old. The mid-tempo opener of “Trapped Within The Rank Membrane” sets the bar high as an album opener, with its gradual build and swampy vocals showing this is going to be a fun ride, however, even this bar is leapt over quickly by the proceeding, fist-pump inducing “Glutted With Chunder” which packs immediate hooks that will surely prove huge in a live setting.

Whilst Soul Diminished was a very strong debut statement for the band, on Insatiable Thirst...it is clear that the band’s songwriting craft has improved exponentially as ideas are given room to develop. “Swivel Eyed and Gurning in the Shadows” successfully veers through various tempos in its duration, careering from mid-tempo to pacier aspects, whereas “Biomineralization (Cell Death)” manages to pour so much atmosphere in an, on the face of it, simpler song that boasts some deceptive complexity. As the final moments of “Gutted with a Blunt Blade” close with little ceremony other than blasting beats, the realisation that this album packs many highlights and huge moments in a relatively short time frame sets in.

Celestial Sanctuary set a high bar for themselves, and the growth they have shown in a short time with this follow-up is impressive. Packed with so many highlights and impactful moments, it is clear that Celestial Sanctuary are a more than worthy standard bearer for the current, burgeoning crop of Death Metal. 

A hugely fun, disgusting, and worthwhile release which also adds further anticipation for even greater things to come.

Buy the album here:

https://celestialsanctuary.bandcamp.com/album/insatiable-thirst-for-torment

8 / 10

CHRIS TIPPELL