Servant - Death Devil Magick

Servant is a black metal band from Germany, who hit the scene with their first demo in 2021.  Their latest release, “Death Devil Magick,” is their third full-length album. 

This is my first experience with the band so I can’t say how it compares to their previous two albums but I am enjoying the hell out of this one!  It’s fast, bleak, and made of pure energy like any good black metal should consist of.  However, they have a knack for engaging songs and a cunning use of melodic moments that I find to be refreshing and surprisingly catchy. 

The production rides the line between clear and rough, very much a balance that helps make the songs that much more vibrant yet offers a much needed searing edge.  The individual instruments have quite the bit to them too, especially the drums which are crisp and clear but also powerfully robust. 

The album begins with the intro track, “Void.” As far as these types of short songs go, this one isn’t bad because it introduces the album pretty well and flows into the first proper song.

“Temple” is when things really kick into gear.  Check out the first riff—classic black metal.  The smattering of drums helps build up the tension for the song to burst wide open around the 55 second mark.  I find the vocals to be one of the best elements on the album.  The screeches aren’t always high pitched and there is a variety in the delivery.  The middle portion of the song brings with it a sea of melodic atmosphere, a perfect bridge to the other side of the song.  That side is made of clean instrumentation, an introspective twist to the song’s formula.

“Devil,” is laced with desperate sorrow that seethes with anger.  The vocal rhythm stands out against the crashing drums which propel the song into unbridled fury; an audio version of a hurricane rages through towards the halfway mark.  I like this part a lot, it’s a little slower but the band is just as engaging in these lower, more sudden tempos as they are on blast. 

The aptly named “Fury,” fades into a firestorm, the first quarter of the song being pure blazing speed. Melodic flourishes lead to a mid paced final half, the guitar offering a surprisingly emotive performance, complemented by the interesting drumming. 

The next song is, “Death” and I found it to be a good companion to the previous one—excellent placement of songs for a smooth flow which is something a lot of bands this extreme don’t bother with it seems.  This one begins with a slower tempo, but not laid back in terms of the energy it supplies.  It picks up steam as it builds, everything pulled around the lead guitar.  

The final song, “Magick,” is the best song on the album.  I love the unique feel to the build up, especially in the drums with dance around with a rock vibe. The song seems to build upon itself as it goes, each instrument adding a different layer.  The subtle keys with the groovy riffs in the later half of the song are fantastic.  Once the vocals mix in, the whole song gets this clawing, desperate feeling. 

Servant’s “Death Devil Magick” is a nice surprise for me in this later half of the year.  The band’s commitment to underground metal is rivaled only by their desire to write interesting songs that stick in the mind long after they are over.