Ok, so you’re probably thinking, “The last thing we need is another occult metal band”—kind of mystical, kind of Sabbath, just lurking in the shadows. I would too. But then, about three minutes into “The Reaper”, the opening track, the solo kicks in—played by Wytch guitarist Mattias Marklund, who fronts this band—and suddenly, it’s clear Temple of Discord is operating on another level.
Astonishingly, given how fully formed this all sounds, In The Ashes is the Swedes’ debut album. You wouldn’t know it from the way “Closer” builds to its crescendo, delivering Candlemass-levels of oppressive weight. There’s an undeniable sense of experience and craftsmanship in every riff and passage.
Even more impressively, these songs have their roots as far back as 2017. Mattias had been writing material that didn’t quite fit his other band, so he kept them aside—and now, that vision has come to life. What’s surprising is the variety here. The high-energy attack of “Black Out the Sun” and the acoustic menace of “Razor Me” feel worlds apart, yet they’re bound by a shared atmosphere and undeniable class.
“The Fields” offers some gorgeous harmonies before things take a deeply personal turn on the arguable highlight, “Someone Else”. Every track feels like a journey, and the album as a whole is heavier than you might expect, thanks in large part to the solos. Take “All Their Lies”, for example—the real metal edge in its sound is absolutely sensational.
Despite the epic scope of the songwriting, nothing here overstays its welcome. “Rails”, in many ways, brings us full circle to the mystical atmosphere hinted at early on, but the way it builds—while still showing restraint—is nothing short of special.
This may only be a debut, but Temple of Discord is no mere side project. In The Ashes is a labour of love—and it shows.
Rating: 8.5/10
REVIEW: TEMPLE OF DISCORD – IN THE AS (2025)
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