CLOAK captures the magic, mystique, and mystery of classic heavy metal with their long-awaited debut To Venomous Depths. Drawing from metal's most impactful sub genre's, the quartet distill their collective influences into an enthralling full-album experience that honors the spirit of the early classics while standing firmly in the now. Captivating tracks like "Beyond the Veil", "Deep Red", "Forever Burned" and the title track are riveted with somber harmonies, driving rhythms, and dramatic builds in momentum and suspense. CLOAK's bold and blackened metal teems with dark energy, and To Venomous Depths is a testament to the genre's primal power and magic.
Review
Sure, the vestiges of influence are conspicuous. Guitarists Scott Taysom and Max Brigham aren't too far removed from the serpentine creep of Adam Zaars and Jonathan Hultén. And they're also super clever in masking their affinity for Gothic-era Greg Mackintosh, as the formula isn't a hard one to replicate. But Cloak aren't a cover band. They've found a sound that in time will develop into something exquisite. - Decibel 5/5