The new album by Genus Ordinis Dei titled, The Beginning, is symphonic death metal at its finest: epic with a deep groove, rich in story, insight, and atmosphere. While the songs are represented visually by stunning videos, (all created, filmed, and produced by the band members themselves), the album is not just a soundtrack. It is an experience, so finely crafted it feels precious, almost religious. Thematically, we visit ourselves at the dawn of mankind, and see our reflections in the beautiful violence, the glorious savagery, and the power of love and betrayal.

Musically, the first thing one might notice, is that the drumming is divine. Nico has an amazing feel for rich hummingbird sixteenths intertwining with that funky backbeat that gets us up on our chairs, hands in the air. Nick’s vocals are stellar and diverse, meeting the needs of those preferring the growl, straightforward traditional, or a heart-breaking hybrid of both, especially in the record’s signature piece, “For a New God.” In terms of Tommy’s guitar sound, it is massive yet unselfish, taking us along to ride shotgun straight to the terrifying colors of the soul. The Beginning, front to back, is an awakening. A red dawn. An experience.