Angerot | Seofon | Redefining Darkness Records

 

    Angerot is a death metal band from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formed in 2017. Since their debut album, “The Splendid Iniquity,” the band has drawn strong inspiration from the classic Swedish death metal style, often compared to bands like Unleashed, Grave, and Dismember, while adding their own American perspective and sonic weight. Throughout their discography, Angerot has been known for including notable guest musicians, a tradition that continues in an even more ambitious way on their fourth full-length album, “Seofon.” Led by guitarist and vocalist C.R. Petit, the band’s lineup is rounded out by Zaugg on bass and Jason Ellsworth on guitars.

 “Seofon” is a conceptually intriguing album that uses a clear and consistent idea as its foundation: seven songs featuring seven different drummers. Each drummer brings their own experience from across the extreme metal spectrum, from brutal death to blackened thrash, and this impacts the feel and delivery of every track. The result is an album with noticeable variation in rhythmic approach and energy while still sounding cohesive.

The core sound of Angerot remains rooted in heavy, atmospheric death metal. Guitars often carry the weight, with tremolo-driven riffs, layered harmonies, and a tone that nods to both Scandinavian and Floridian traditions. The vocals are deep and mid-paced, delivered with a firm cadence that maintains a steady presence across all songs. There's a strong focus on building songs around structure and pacing, avoiding chaos in favor of measured force.

The different drummers don’t make the album feel disconnected or scattered. Instead, they offer subtle changes in style that prevent repetition. Derek Roddy brings speed and intensity, while Daray adds more dramatic, bombastic passages, and others such as Zack Simmons and Pierce Williams play in ways that complement Angerot’s slow-burning, atmospheric riffs. The mix by Andreas Linnemann helps balance the character of each guest’s drumming without changing the identity of the band itself.

There’s a cold and ritualistic tone throughout “Seofon,” with slower tempos used effectively and often more than faster ones. The album is not built around aggression alone but is filled with dark atmosphere and a sense of deliberate movement. Even in the faster moments, the music rarely becomes chaotic. It maintains a firm direction and relies on precision rather than unpredictability.

Visually and conceptually, “Seofon” stands apart from previous Angerot releases. The artwork by Carrion Design avoids past themes, offering a design that suits the special nature of this release. The band clearly approached this not as just another album but as a project with its own place and mood.

 Angerot has succeeded in creating something personal and distinct. The changing drum performances give each song a unique feel while the band’s identity stays intact. The album is strong from beginning to end, never straying from its vision. With its thoughtful execution and haunting atmosphere, “Seofon” stands out as Angerot’s most creative and well-developed release to date.

Score: 8.5