So, Kentucky’s PYROMANCER knocked out a demo almost exactly 10 years ago, then apparently went dormant, members Conqueror Horus and Master Of Graveyard Torment becoming more involved in their other musical exploits, only to return last year via a split with Detroit wastebearers PERVERSION. Now beneath the flag of Adirondack Black Mass, the twosome arrive with Absolute Dominion By Fire. Mind, you, of the dozen tracks found here, four are revisitations from the past two releases. Will we be dominated? Absolutely, even? And if so, by fire?

‘Igniting The Sacrificial Pyre’ drags somewhat monotonously at first, synths and a voice that sounds like Napoleon Dynamite on the nods, leaving me wary for what’s to come. That is, until the song proper kicks in. And kick it does, complete knuckle-dragging, animalistic blackness of ritual rage pounding the skull to blooded dust. ‘Ancient Hatred’ continues the assault, and whoever put the recording equipment in a cave better keep it there, as this is some of the most foul-sounding, depths-of-the-earth born shit I’ve heard in too long a while. Alternating between demonic hyperblast and PROFANATICA slough, ‘Perverse Immolation’ discharges flaming bile with no remorse, while a re-recorded ‘Barbaric Wrath’ both slices nearly 20 seconds from an already brief song and makes it more damning in the process.

The drums of Master Of Graveyard Torment fall behind in the mix of ‘Alchemical Red Death’ when a more upfront attack – as has been present thus far – would’ve suited better, leading us into the torment that is the title track, as much CONQUEROR as anything that band ever did, and as undeniably worthy. Giving birth to a writhing, blood soaked anti-god bent on destruction of all human life, ‘Pit Of Writhing Horror’ is the offspring of early LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR and USURPER, brain-dead, brutal, and uncompromising.

After such a Neanderthalic abuse, ‘Volcanic Rapture’ picks what remains of our bodies – half-flayed of flesh and charred – up by the feet, then proceeds to beat us the fuck against the wall to make sure we get the point. Absolute Dominion By Fire, then? Dominated? Yeah. Absolutely? Yeah! By fire?! By FUCKING FIRE!!
Review By: Lord Randall

PYROMANCER
Absolute Dominion By Fire
Adirondack Black Mass