Pontifex are a band from Florida that plays a symphonic form of black metal with elements of ambient, death and thrash metal and this is a review of their self released 2024 album "From The Pale mist".
Ambient style synths start off the album while also introducing symphonic sounds which also mixes in with the heavier sections of the songs at times. When guitar solos and leads are utilized they are also done in a very melodic style and all of the musical instruments also have a very powerful sound to them.
Melodies are also added into some of the guitar riffing while the vocals also add in a mixture of black metal screams and death metal growls. When the music speeds up a decent amount of tremolo picking and blast beats can also be heard along with the songs also adding in a good mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts.
Elements of thrash metal can also be heard in some of the guitar riffing and clean playing can also be heard briefly along with one of the tracks also being an instrumental as well a s the music also mixing in both old school and modern touches. The production sounds very professional while the lyrics cover darkness and mystery themes.
In my opinion Pontifex are a very great sounding symphonic mixture of black, death and thrash metal with elements of ambient and if you are a fan of those musical genres, you should check out this band. REOCMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Festering" and "Abyssal". 8 out of 10.
https://youtu.be/srVAty5dWkc
https://open.spotify.com/track/6FW3pN2D59Cq6vzzRlKGd
https://pontifex.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-pale-mist
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555978000917
https://www.instagram.com/shadowspireband/
.jpg)
