ARCHAIC OATH – a new black metal entity, born from the mind of members of Hemelbestormer, Marche Funèbre, Lhaäd and Rituals of the Dead Hand, reveals the first glimpse ito its debut offering,  “Determined to Death and Beyond”, coming on April 24th via AOP Records.

All music was recorded & mixed at Crestfallen Audio by Lykormas, while the mastering duties were handled at Liquid Aether Audio by Mario Dahmen. In the album, guestvocals on “Wrath of the Witches” were done  by Jitte Boon and Cin Monrose, and all acoustic guitars were played by Kristof Vandebeek. The acoustic interlude “Requiem for a doomed Soul” was written  by Kristof Vandebeek. The cover artwork is a  painting by Wesley Dewanckel.

From a fleeting communion in 2005, Lykormas and Arneriach soon felt the ancient pull once more, the irresistible summons of decay, of origins long since festering in shadow. They turned back toward their rotted foundations, seeking to forge sound steeped in elder days and forgotten rites. Seasoned wanderers of the underground, they now also bear the banners of Marche Funèbre and Hemelbestormer, yet the old hunger never slept.

Thus Archaic Oath was sworn. A covenant to resurrect blackened death metal in its most primal form, as once conjured by Naglfar, Dissection, Unanimated and kindred spirits. Its veins run thick with the essence of the ’90s melodic black metal era, tempered by decades of metal etched into flesh and bone.

The band’s first offering, “Determined to Death and Beyond”, was hewn during the long, cold winter of 2024–2025, destined to emerge from the void via AOP Records one year hence.

Upon the stage, the circle widens: Archaic Oath will be reinforced by (former) adepts of Beltez, Sumerian Tombs, and Melechesh, ensuring the rite is not merely heard, but invoked.

Pre-order: https://shop.aoprecords.de.

Tracklist:
1. Above The Ice
2. Wrath Of The Witches
3. Forest Of Horrors
4. Requiem For A Doomed Soul
5. Abysmal Ascent
6. Path Of Penitence
7. Into The Temple Of Light
8. Ye Entrancemperium

Delve into the song “Forest Of Horrors” below:

ARCHAIC OATH is:
Arneriach (Arne Vandehoeck): vocals, lyrics
Lykormas (Filip Dupont): all instruments, music