Celestial Sanctuary – Insatiable Thirst for Torment (Review)

Celestial Sanctuary are a death metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

Featuring the current/ex-drummer of The Infernal Sea/Man Must Die in their ranks, Celestial Sanctuary play old-school death metal with lethal skill. Across 40 minutes Insatiable Thirst for Torment showcases the band’s considerable talents, and there’s a lot of them, because this album is on fire.

For an easy reference point for the sort of gruesome death metal that Celestial Sanctuary play, this is for fans of bands such as Gatecreeper, Genocide Pact, Outer Heaven, Tomb Mold, Undeath, etc. Insatiable Thirst for Torment is strong enough to hang out with these sorts of acts.

Insatiable Thirst for Torment boasts a brutal collection of songs that can tear skin from bone at a thousand paces. It’s the sort of caveman death metal that has instant appeal due to its sheer heaviness, imposing presence, bllodsoaked riffs, inhuman vocals, and belligerent attitude. However, lurking within this particular caveman’s eyes lies a glimmer of murderous intelligence that’s disturbing in its intensity.

Yes, this is an album that also has a deeper, more malevolent side. Celestial Sanctuary seem to be very capable when it comes to crafting atypical riffs and the sort of macabre atmospheres that are immersive and engaging. The music twists and turns under the control of slithering guitars and contorting melodies. These elements succeed in reinforcing and enhancing the music’s more obviously crushing aspects, making for songs that are greater than the sum of their parts.

This is old-school death metal with new-school power and passion. Driven by a forceful and arresting sound and style, Celestial Sanctuary have impressed with their vision for killer death metal. A record of both hooks and atmosphere, the entire album is a top tier death metal release, and I can’t recommend Insatiable Thirst for Torment highly enough.

Essential listening for fans of old/new death metal.