Eldritch Devotion

Stormbane were an Australian act that recorded a couple of EPs and a full-length before calling it quits in 2014. The full-length in question, Eldritch Devotion, didn't see the light of day until sometime in 2018, meaning it took a whole four years to show how much of a damn shame it is that they broke up in the first place. Unsurprisingly, this is an album of bestial Black/Thrash savagery comparable to countrymates Deströyer 666, here mixed with a darker edge than average that's reminiscent of '80s acts like early Kreator and Possessed. Vocalist/guitarist Daryl is a real highlight, sporting a nicely demonic voice which goes a long way in selling their fierce, unforgiving sound. This album is good enough to make me hope the band will return one day and darken the Australian landscape once more, but for now any fan of Black/Thrash will want to track this one down.