After a six year gap, Danzig is back with a new album that was well worth the wait. Deth Red Sabaoth proves Glenn has some black magic up his sleeve with 11 tracks of riveting gothic metal that would bring a smile to Lucifer’s lips. Joined once again with Tommy Victor (Prong, Ministry) on guitar and new member, former Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly, Glenn has a fierce back up band ready to unleash a storm of hellish metal. Deth Red Sabaoth may very well be Danzig’s best record since 1994’s Danzig IV.

“Hammer of the Gods” opens the album with a metallic bang. Imagery of Nordic mythology, mead halls and Vikings raids are joined by a galloping riff as though Odin himself was riding into war. The chorus is infectious and rife with the strong vocals that Danzig is known for. This song is easily one of Glenn’s best and is up there with “Long Way Back From Hell” and “Godless.”

The standout tracks from this album are “On A Wicked Night” and “Death Red Moon”. Both songs are lush, eerie musical pieces with a haunting drone that keeps the listener in a trance. “On a Wicked Night” deserves special attention as it starts with a serenading acoustic guitar before crashing into a rocking opus. Unlike 2004’s Circle of Snakes and 2002’s I Luciferi, the songwriting is thought out and mature. Instead of going straight for the jugular, both songs take their time drawing the listener in before beating them into auditory submission. Album closer “Left Hand Rise Above” ends the album is unholy fashion with pounding and a dissonant riff that melds into a gothic blues number. Glenn is at his best here once again as he belts “Left hand rise above!”

Deth Red Sabaoth delivers where prior releases from the band slightly stumbled. While some fans may hunger for the early days of Danzig, this new release is the closest to that era. A definite must buy for Danzig fans and strongly recommended for fans of dark metal.

Review by Jerel Johnson