Wreathed in Dead Angels

Profanatica - Wreathed in Dead Angels (EP) 2025

Profanatica should be a household name for anyone whose taste for all things vile and blasphemous knows no limits. All American black/death that’s been a threat to holy ears since 1990. Formerly of Incantation, Profanatica mastermind, Paul Ledney, is versed in the art of death metal, but Incantation frontman John McAfee’s desire to join the early ‘90’s USDM pissing contest inspired Ledney to leave Incantation in order to create some black/death in its truest form. In other words, Paul Ledney is nothing if not authentic, and this staunch sense of genuineness translates into Profanatica’s music, which has been a consistent source of criminal blasphemy for decades. No major labels, no bullshit, and now they’ve returned to Hells Headbangers. On April 25, Profanatica will release a brand new mini album, “Wreathed in Dead Angels”.

It’s definitely Profanatica, but in rare form this time around. When compared to Profanatica’s previous LP, “Crux Simplex”, this recording is more varied in tempo with more experimentation in regard to riffing and not without some melody. The tonality of the guitars, however, has been gutted alive and it’s the bass along with some caveman drumming that really batter & bruise. Mercy comes in the form of some cushiony engineering: malleable, textured and warm is the feel here. What a nice offset to the brutality of everything else. And fuck yes, it’s a festival of holy degradation. Expect the usual in that department. I think I even heard Ledney mention something about his cock, so enter at your own risk. Just butchering the crucifixion here… Jesus…

“Wreathed in Dead Angels” features true-to-form Profanatica bruisers like the opener, “Hung in Golgotha”, that just plow forward perpetually with bulldozing, blast-driven momentum, the Entombed-inspired “The Sixth Hour” with its punk/rock-influenced “Left Hand Path” vibes and the titular track as it rains down its frantic murder everyone and cum on everything carnage. A little something different here, but not too different. Ole reliable as always and just another great album out of Profanatica.

We’re not done quite yet. “The Entombment” - the album’s most primal offering - a literal blunt-force submission beating. Something like if you put a psychopath behind a drum kit and told him that every snare pop will feel as sweet as a murderous death blow with a claw hammer. Jeez… These lyrics are priceless and this has got to be Paul’s finest vocal contribution to date. “Crux Simplex” is great, but this is better. This feels like a much rejuvenated Profanatica: inspired, aggressive and taking some risks that are most certainly paying dividends. Yep, time to desecrate something! Go excrete some bodily fluid onto something sacred. Ledney knows a thing or two about that…

8.5/10

~Jeger

Experience “The Sixth Hour” from “Wreathed in Dead Angels” by Profanatica right here as presented by Hells Headbangers:

https://youtu.be/IkqFXr2JNSE?si=ECS5ufPDB59ydHRM