Exilium Noctis | Pactum Diaboli | Black Lion Records

 

Exilium Noctis emerged from Volos, Greece, in 2021, founded by Thyragon and Omega. From the outset, the band embraced a sound rooted in blackened death metal, merging aggression with darkly atmospheric textures. Their 2022 debut, "Fragments Of Apocalypse," was released via Sleaszy Rider Records and began attracting underground attention. Through regular live appearances alongside bands like Akhlys, Sakis Tolis, Kawir, Varathron, and Yoth Iria, they solidified their presence in the Hellenic extreme metal scene. A major milestone came with their appearance at Golden R Festival, performing with acts such as Mayhem, Gaerea, Sorcerer, Warlord, Mystic Prophecy, and Grave Digger.

Now signed to Black Lion Records, Exilium Noctis returns in 2025 with their sophomore full-length "Pactum Diaboli", an album that expands their musical language without abandoning their core aggression. The band on this release consists of Thyragon (vocals), Vinterblod (guitars), Moloch (guitars), and Omega (bass), with contributions from Henri Sattler (God Dethroned), Vasilis Sarou (Fading Echoes), and Agis Tzoukopoulos (Kawir, Infernal Storm).

"Pactum Diaboli" marks a forward stride for Exilium Noctis, both in composition and execution. The album is thematically unified, drawing upon the archetypal story of a Faustian bargain while confronting religious tyranny and inner torment. There is no reliance on ornate metaphors or distant abstractions; the songwriting is direct, violent, and grounded in intent.

The production, handled by Psychon at Sound Abuse Productions Studio, balances density with separation. Guitars remain sharp and layered, yet leave space for the bass lines and vocals to breathe. Drums retain their power without overwhelming the mix, and the occasional use of keyboards by Vasilis Sarou adds a ceremonial depth without disrupting the fundamental hostility of the music.

The vocal performance by Thyragon retains a menacing clarity throughout, avoiding overprocessed effects and placing the focus on cadence and phrasing. His delivery on tracks such as “All Shall Burn” and “Priest Of Blasphemy” carries an unwavering conviction that anchors the album’s thematic fixation on spiritual betrayal and damnation.

“Pactum Diaboli,” featuring Henri Sattler, blends the vocal styles of both frontmen seamlessly, resulting in one of the album’s strongest performances. The guitars alternate between tremolo-driven storms and grinding mid-paced passages, creating a structure that is neither chaotic nor predictable.

One of the more conceptually creative moments comes in “Devil’s March,” where spoken dialogue from Jan Švankmajer’s “Faust” is woven into the intro. This isn’t used as a novelty, but rather as a device to punctuate the narrative focus of the album’s closing half.

Across nine tracks, the album neither overextends its runtime nor rushes its ideas. “God’s Demise,” with drums performed by Agis Tzoukopoulos, adds a different dynamic, introducing subtle rhythmic variations that benefit the pacing.

The artwork by Kyriakos Balanos reflects the album's themes well—ritualistic, infernal, and regal in its decay. It captures the tension between ascension and submission, which parallels the album’s lyrical obsession with power, sin, and spiritual ruin.

Without resorting to predictable tropes or excessive ornamentation, "Pactum Diaboli" sustains a controlled intensity from start to finish. It is a clear step forward for Exilium Noctis, who now find themselves as one of the more focused and disciplined voices in modern Greek extreme metal.

Score: 8.0