Band:	Pact
Album:	The Infernal Hierarchies, Penetrating The Threshold Of Night
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	April 2014

01. The Hell Of Supernal's
02. Baal-Zebub Lord Of The Flies
03. The Great Serpent Of Tehom
04. Firelord Andramelch
05. Pactmaker Lucifuge
06. Under The Eclipse Of Tiphareth
07. The Witchmother Of Shade's
08. Asmodeus Beast Of Judgement
09. The Howling Of Gamchicoth

You're in an American black metal band that sings about the occult and/or Satanism. You release your full-length debut to favorable reviews. What next? You follow it up with more of the same, obviously.

Pact first made waves with The Dragon Lineage of Satan a couple years ago, not exactly taking the world by storm, but certainly commanding the attention of black metal purists and those constantly on the lookout for quality up-and-coming extreme metal acts. Their style is fairly straightforward with an infusion of melody - catchy and accessible compared to the basement bands but far from a Dimmu Borgir or Rotting Christ. The style itself isn't what makes the music so smooth, however. That falls on the fluid (although somewhat routine) songwriting.

The Infernal Hierarchies... may not incorporate a variety of different influences or break any boundaries, but it does the job and does the job well. The modernized production, while not too crisp, allows for every element to come across clear and precise. Good thing, because it's an assault from beginning to end, granting few moments of reprieve with calming breakdowns that build a dark atmosphere throughout. And while some albums in this vein begin to sound tedious about halfway through, Pact aren't about to let you fall asleep, raging on with militaristic aggression and snaking their way through the dissonant fires of Hell with utmost efficiency.

While all that hate and spite makes for a great album to help you unleash some pent-up aggression, it is unfortunately a little too similar to its predecessor. These guys have proven they know how to write solid tunes. Their level of consistency would have them revered as one of the classic pioneers up there with a Mayhem or Marduk if not for the fact it isn't 1995. But it's time for a breath of fresh air. The black metal scene can be unforgiving, and a willingness to grow is almost necessary these days to maintain relevance. Fortunately for Pact, they have all the right tools to be successful for years to come.