Belphegor is an experienced, long-standing band that has had a productive streak recently. Releasing two albums in less than a year, the group is once again gaining international attention and reaping well-deserved praise for its mature, varied sound.

Belphegor's style is pretty straightforward death, but on Goatreich-Fleshcult, the band runs the gamut from "Swarm of Rats'" blast beats and fast-picked melodious guitar lines to the sludgy, slogging stoner grooves of "Sepulture of Hypocrisy." And from the extremes to everything in between, Belphegor sounds great on this latest release. From the blazing guitar solos and dead-on drumming to Helmuth's assorted screams and growls, a satisfyingly dark energy persists throughout. The evil imagery surrounding the group and the almost exclusively anti-Christian lyrical content do their part, as well, but Belphegor's music stands sturdily on its own merit.

Although it doesn't exactly push the envelope, Goatreich-Fleshcult is solidly grounded in the essentials, and it's unlikely that you've heard anything quite like it done by another group. (8.3/10)