Press release –
Archaic Thorn have been active in the German death metal underground since 2010, evolving steadily from their early demo “Hydra Throats” (2013) through the EP “In Desolate Magnificence” (2015) to their acclaimed debut album “Eradication” (2020) — all without losing their original ferocity. Anyone who appreciates the old-school sound of bands like Degial, Necrovore, or Repugnant will also love “Malicious Spears.”
On their second studio album, the Saxon trio logically continues this path. “From our point of view, it’s more catchy and features more distinctive riffs,” says guitarist CL. “The sound hits exactly what we were aiming for — we wanted an organic production that honestly reflects our band’s character and still delivers modern punch.” The album was mixed and mastered by Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios (Necrophagist, Fragments of Unbecoming, among others).
Stylistic consistency and a solid line-up go hand in hand for Archaic Thorn. “We’ve been together in this line-up since the beginning, because the chemistry was right from the start and we share the same goals,” CL explains. The creation of “Malicious Spears” was shaped by the band’s characteristic working style. “We’re not the fastest songwriters — some songs took quite a while to come together, while others were finished within a few weeks,” admits vocalist/bassist MF. “Lyrically, nothing has changed since our demo,” the frontman emphasizes. The lyrics continue to revolve around “occultism, death, war, and damnation,” themes that are also reflected in the eye-catching cover artwork by Sadistik Exekution vocalist Rok.
“Malicious Spears” is likely to win Archaic Thorn a host of new fans. The carefully placed guitar leads and solos — already a highlight on “Eradication” — now form an even more integral part of the band’s sound, amplifying the morbid atmosphere of tracks like the atmospheric opener ‘Lord of Tombs’ or the particularly catchy ‘Angel of Havaz’. Anyone who can combine uncompromising brutality with refined songwriting on this level is capable of standing alongside the heavyweights of the genre.
Tracklist:
1) Lord of Tombs
2) A Blessed Ground Remains
3) Conquering Spirits
4) Advancing without Mercy
5) Massgrave Transformation
6) Angel of Havaz
7) Malicious Spears
Line-up:
CL Guitars
MF Vocals, Bass
TR Drums
Discography:
Hydra Throats (Demo, 2013)
In Desolate Magnificence (EP, 2015)
Eradication (2020)
Malicious Spears (2025)
Visit: www.archaicthorn.de.
