Album Review: Deathless Legacy – Damnatio Aeterna (Scarlet Records)

‘Damnatio Aeterna’, the seventh Deathless Legacy studio album, tells the thrilling story of the lesser demon Malchrum, who is challenged by Lucifer to ensnare a priest in an unspeakable sin, thereby ensuring his eternal damnation. It will be released on March 7th, 2025, via Scarlet Records.

A grand concept needs a grand sound and Deathless Legacy are adept at creating such a thing. Especially as their approach comes with horror-laden theatrics, salacious atmosphere, and a mischievous metal soundscape. From the start, their ‘epic’ side shows, and it only gets stronger from that point onwards, driven by an opulent instrumental section and commanding vocals.

Creating a strong sense of dark wonder, magical and mysterious, the title track pulls the curtain back to reveal a sensational showcase of twisted heavy metal. It is a track that teases grandeur on a different level, while offering up many-a-reason to sit back and be taken in by the sights and sounds of something larger than life.

As Miserere showcases grin-inducing gothic synth melody, electricity will course through the veins. This, and so much of what follows, can be simply summed up as a thoroughly enjoyable heavy metal listen, but with layers of sinful horror, each inevitably delivers undeniable anthemic qualities.

Anthems such as the atmospheric Get On Your Knees, the thumping head banger that is Communion, the gothic splendour that Indulgentia Plenaria offers up, and the blackened touch that reaches out of Oblivion. Across all these tracks listeners can worship the sounds of extravagant melodies, dramatic heaviness, scandalous vocals (especially when the choir gets involved), and so much more. It’ll make you feel wicked, but in a very enjoyable way.

The album is at its best though when Deathless Legacy fully embrace a more ambitious side of themselves and throw their all into the delivering an aural show. Such as they do on the excellent Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus. It’s what gives them a more unique flavour, especially when followed by something as melodramatic as Sanctified. The vocals are spectacular on this one.

Finally, and gratifyingly, it’s a trio of tracks seemingly designed to tempt the listener into joining in on being as sinful as possible. Firstly, by offering up the wilder rockiness of Mother of God. Then, by keeping it simple, but so very catchy with Nightshade, and finally, by going to deeper and darker levels with Gehenna. It’s very cool.

Imagine if something like Hell had its own in-house band. That’s what you get with Deathless Legacy and Damnatio Aeterna. We’re all damned.

Deathless Legacy – Damnatio Aeterna Track Listing:

1. Damnatio Aeterna
2. Miserere
3. Get On Your Knees
4. Communion
5. Indulgentia Plenaria
6. Oblivion
7. Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus
8. Sanctified
9. Mother Of God
10. Nightshade
11. Gehenna

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