Anyone who has read my reviews, posts, etc. here at The Metal Crypt knows that Death Metal is not my favorite genre. That said, when a band puts out an album of quality HEAVY METAL, regardless of style, I'm on board and that's the case with Scythian's second album, Hubris in Excelsis. Technically Death/Thrash, Hubris in Excelsis bristles with dark energy and morbid atmosphere. The riffs are huge and powerful and Scythian make expert use of changing tempos to keep the listener engaged. One minute you are slowly sinking in a quagmire of fire and brimstone the next a stampeding herd of the Devil's own is thundering across your skull. It isn't all brutal riffs and insane speed as Scythian weave acoustic guitars, unusual melodies and Gregorian-style chanting in between the Araya-like screams and squealing solos. The album closes with the majestically evil "Dystopia" a track that expertly creates a gripping tension sure to make your heart race.

Borrowing equally from Slayer's Reign in Blood and Melechesh's The Epigenesis, Scythian has created an album that transcends genres and flat out kills.