I first encountered this duo from Virginia when they were announced for Roadburn 2023. I had to show up since the festival doesn’t have that many extreme metal acts like it used to. In all honesty, describing a live show of theirs is not that different from describing this album or the other two full lengths they have released previously. You see, Antichrist Siege Machine is a war metal band that doesn’t change the formula much from what well-known acts like Revenge, Conqueror, Archgoat and Bestial Warlust have been doing. Then again, everyone is just paying homage to Blasphemy, so there is that. So basically Vengeance Of Eternal Fire is a wild mix of black, death and grindcore: a very blunt beating filled with chaotic drumming, rabid vocals and riffs that either go by in a flash or slow down for a few seconds just to crush you in a different way.
Is there more to it? Maybe a few things! Having nailed a contract with Profound Lore just after their debut likely provided them with a larger budget, which is evident in the production on Vengeance Of Eternal Fire, as it is better than the average band in the style has access to. Some may argue that having a clearer sound defeats the purpose of the genre altogether, but to them I say “chill and listen”. First of all, this is still far away from “clean”. Second, the added groove that Antichrist Siege Machine puts on their riffs is electrifying, and easy to appreciate with such a full sound. The monstrous, gargling vocals are ever-lurking, right where they belong in the mix, behind the chaos of the cymbals and the riffs. It is also easier to enjoy the punky moments that show up from time to time, which are catchy as rabies. When the duo untaps this punk identity, it is not hard to think about powerviolence acts like Nails, but with extra blood and black metal.
At 25 minutes, Antichrist Siege Machine did a great job in killing some of the brain cells that the booze didn’t get first. Vengeance Of Eternal Fire is a filthy and primal slab of extreme metal that nicely manages to be groovy, catchy, engaging and, dare I say, fun from start to finish. Do yourself a favour and go full mönke with me.
