EP Review: Sworn to Heresy

Auckland’s Exordium Mars have been flying the flag for extreme metal in Aotearoa for just over two decades, delivering a pummelling assault of chaotic & aggressive musical brutality, with a two-prong guitar shredding attack, a now three demonic vocal force and relentless beast mode level drumming carnage. Their upcoming offering is in the form of Sworn to Heresy, a 3 song EP which packs as many riffs, blasts and heavy vocal styles as possible. The aggressive intensity packed into these three songs delivers a statement that 2025 is a new era of business and there is no slowing down. Armed with a new drummer in the form of The Nomad and a reshuffled vocal line up with all three axemen Black Mortum, Santi & Assailant spitting venom through the microphone.

The production is clean, heavy and well mixed while not being over produced or over compressed. The bass sits comfortably in the mix even when following complex guitar lines, holding down the low end and driving the songs while being locked into complex drum patterns. In turn, this allows the guitars to shine and shred in and out of each ear and the power of the drums and overall musical construct is well balanced and highlighted. Recently released track, Oath was the first new offering for listeners. Perhaps it was the overall nature of the song’s construction or the length but this song really captures the EP’s overall context. Containing epic tremolo guitar riffage, like a theme of riding into battle, its melodic yet with the correct doses of heavy. This song contains a more blackened metal style vocal and some really hooky guitar leads. All the extremities are on full display, the technicality of the riffs that twist and turn and morph inside and out of the core song while carrying the screamed vocal passages on top of an ever-changing monstrous drum display, of blast beats, intense speed and machine-like double kick hits.

Opener Dawn of the Crimson Sun is the longest player, the introduction, a slow ascension into all out war, with both guitars playing opposing riffs and the drums bringing in a half time groove before all hell breaks loose. There is progressive metal element to the song structure (and the overall ep) and time changes, while musically sitting in a thrash and death metal hybrid. The drums, particularly the double kicks are vital to overall bones and flow of the song, relentless in attack and so precise and powerful. The vocals while aggressive and intense, still pack in the melody and the addition of the gang vocals including growls and punk chants add to the violent delights. The lower register growls make appearances throughout the song underneath the main vocal lines, adding extra depth and torment.

Torquemada, launches right into a blast beat onslaught, picking up guitar solos in its wake. The song intensity never seems to waiver, brutal hit after hit of at break neck speed, even when the snare takes a slight backseat, the feet are pounding the skin. A constant assault from start to finish, but like all three tracks, its packed with incredibly impressive performances, technical songwriting & memorable and melodic sensibility.

Be sure to check out this latest offering from Exordium Mars, pummelling every last breath.