Metalcatto
For some strange reason, I jumped into this album thinking that it would be another retro-Death take with crunchy distortion and grey riffs. Turns out Ceremonial Worship had other plans for our sorrowful lives. Between Sleep and Death is rancid and underground, for sure. You’re traveling back to the 90s, but maybe the result is something that will make you feel hope in Metal again. Or probably not. But hey, keep reading.
This album is as if you took 90s Opeth, took away all the gloom and Prog, and left just the Black Metal elements. You might think that this has nothing to do with that, but the sound is so loyal to those rustic days. Having said that, Ceremonial Worship is as direct as you’d expect from any band in the niche. The riffs are sharp and cold, and though the production isn’t potato-level, it still has a rougher edge to it. The mix feels alive, almost as if you’re standing in the rehearsal room while they play.
The songwriting here goes for a mesmerizing atmosphere. Riffs simmer for a long time, trying to drag you into some kind of aggressive meditation. Don’t worry, it’s not slow, but it’s not afraid of playing with the same idea for a while. The vocals are probably the thing that reminds me the most of those old Swedish Black and Death Metal records. They have that agony and despair so many of us grew to love. Don’t you miss your singer sounding like a wounded seal? I do. There’s something strangely comforting about that kind of raw, unfiltered anguish.
Now, I know I said that the whole hypnotic riffing is interesting, but jeez, it’s a bit too much for this reviewer. The album could definitely use more changes and dynamics. As it stands right now, the album is competent Black and Death Metal that has a cool spin on an ancient formula, but I believe it could offer an even more fun ride if it broke out of its own trance more often. The repetition builds atmosphere, but it also builds fatigue. A little more variety in tempo or structure would go a long way.
Ceremonial Worship has given us a curious release that awakens some of my few nostalgic moments. However, it might be hard to dive into it if you’re not fond of that old school sound. The production adds a layer of roughness here that probably saves the day. It grounds the album in a time and place that feels authentic, even if that place is a damp basement in the middle of nowhere. So all hope is not lost in terms of the genre. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. Sometimes, the most rewarding listens are the ones that remind you why you fell in love with this music in the first place—flaws and all. Between Sleep and Death does exactly that. Not perfectly, but honestly. And honesty counts for a lot in a world full of polished facades.
Label: Eternal Death
Release date: 31st July, 2026
Website: https://eternaldeath.bandcamp.com/album/between-sleep-and-death
Country: USA
Score: 2.8/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 