Artist: Pyromancer
Country: USA
Label: Adirondack Black Mass
Formats: Cassette Tape / CD
Year: 2025
After the release of ‘Demo MMXV’, Pyromancer’s debut demo tape from (you guessed it) 2015 it was awkwardly quiet around the band for about a decade. Then all of a sudden the band returned with a split 7” EP with Perversion through Godz Ov War Productions, who, in 2016, already reissued the demo as well. Yet, for the band’s debut album Pyromancer turned to the US-label Adirondack Black Mass that is releasing ‘Absolute Dominion By Fire’ on both cassette tape and CD in May of this year.
While there is almost to the day exactly ten years in between the release of band’s first demo recordings and this debut album, on the musical side of things, not so much seem to really have changed. This duo’s Black/Death Metal has remained pretty much intact compared to their infant steps on ‘Demo MMXV’. They have, however, taken a clear step in terms of production, as was already audible on the split 7” EP with Perversion as well. Pyromancer’s musical integrity is praiseworthy.
Probably the most enjoyable thing with Pyromancer is that their music is rather easy to digest. It by far is not as punishing as many of their more War Metal-like peers, but they are certainly not clean or clear sounding either. Pyromancer falls nicely in between worlds and takes the best parts of them to forge a sound that sounds familiar but not worn out at all. What also helps matters is the fact that the album, clocking in at just under 40 minutes, is divided in no less than twelve rather short and concise tracks. In no way Pyromancer is challenging your senses or stamina too much, but at the same time they keep your attention from waning.
But it would be giving the two too little credit by stating that the easy-go music has mainly to do with the musical positioning or the rather short songs. Of course, it’s mostly a matter of good riffs and song writing, and that’s where this twosome proves to be more than competent. The frequently shifting pace and change of riffs, from rather sharp and menacing to almost Hellhammer-like (listen to ‘Inferno’ for instance). As a whole ‘Absolute Dominion By Fire’ is a thoroughly versatile, Thrashy yet rather raw piece of Black/Death Metal that would definitely appeal to fans of later Aura Noir or Nocturnal Breed.
