Ohio's At the Throne of Judgment's band members aren't even 20, yet their debut release The Arcanum Order gives the impression of an established act and lays the groundwork for what could be a promising future in extreme metal.

The band's style is a combination of death metal growls and high-pitched vocals backed by a violent rhythm section, but the lead guitar is what stands out here. Epic, memorable solos enhance the lyrical themes of mythology, gods and goddesses. The band has stated they are not a Christian band per se, though members are of the Christian faith. The album title itself means “The Secret Order” and if you read the lyrics, you may need a historian or a professor of ancient mythology. Every song on the album keeps with this ongoing theme. “Horus Rises” references the Egyptian god of the skies, while “Martyrdom: Ruin of Gaia” is named for the Greek goddess of the earth. How this all ties together is unclear to the average listener, but the ideas are original.

Back to the music. At the Throne of Judgment take elements from At the Gates and Swedish metal, while there is a strong influence of both American death metal and Norwegian black metal. They don't shy away from metalcore breakdowns either. The musicianship is undeniable, though there is still plenty of room left for songwriting improvement. Songs start promisingly enough, but a lack of memorable lyrics or choruses makes the otherwise strong material suffer somewhat. After a few listens, “Martyrdom...” and “Delphic Star” are the only tracks that immediately stand out and stay with you. Still, The Arcanum Order is certainly heavy enough for the current metal contingent. With a few tweaks and years of maturity, At the Throne of Judgment has the potential to one day compose a modern metal masterpiece.