Magoth (Germany): “Invictus”

​Perhaps not everyone is familiar with Magoth, a German melodic black metal band that has gained attention and visibility in recent months. The Teutonic band, founded in 2011 by vocalist and guitarist Heergott, has recently released the third album Invictus, which was also preceded by an extensive advertising campaign. It has to be said that Heergott went through a period of depression after the second album Zeitgeist: Dystopia from 2018 and that the lineup completely changed after that album, except for Heergott, of course; these factors may have affected the slightly morbid sound of Invictus. For some reason, I had high expectations on this new album; although maybe I did not even know what to expect, my mind was not blown away when I eventually could listen to it after the release. Invictus is an excellent melodic black metal album that is reminiscent in many ways of the Swedish melodic sound, as in the opener “The Reckoning”, but also vaguely reminiscent of compatriots Dark Fortress, as in “Entering the Cavern of Grief” and the title track itself where there is more grove. In short, it may not be a memorable album for originality, but it is nonetheless excellent for song construction, arrangements, richness in riffing, and production. Track 6 “Ascension” is a great song, in my opinion, possibly the best on the album. So, to round it off, Invictus has many qualities that make it shine among recent albums, and, especially for fans of melodic black metal, this is a must.
 
Notes:
Invictus was released on November 27, 2020 on Ferocious Records as CD and as digital release.
 
Personnel:
Erik "Alator" Dörrschuck: Drums
Heergott: Vocals, Guitars (rhythm)
Asmodis: Bass, Vocals (additional)
Arakiel: Guitars (lead)
 
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com