PALE HORSE RITUAL - DIABOLIC FORMATION (DOOM METAL, BLACK THRONE PRODUCTIONS, RELEASED NOV 28TH, REVIEW)

August 30, 2025

Diabolic Formation is the forthcoming album from Doomsters 'Pale Horse Ritual' and Bog had a fun time with this album. Doom cat dancing in the bogs and generally throwing mud water around whilst partaking in my daily bathing ritual. One thing Bog would like to comment on is the album cover above. It sets the feel and tone of the album, and is a definite homage to the classic old school horror and early wave of heavy metal from those eras, thus resonates a cinematic aesthetic with the fonts used for the band's name and album title. Bog feels this is a good way to draw in the listeners, it's like the opening credits for a movie and has the audience expecting and anticipating.

Musically, Diabolic Formation is an enjoyable listen that certainly could be built upon further with future releases. Bog would recommend this for ffo of doom metal, traditional heavy metal, and possibly horror punk, even though the pace is slower, but there are similar concepts. Sometimes, you do get some doomy slower paced horror punk, but I think Pale Horse Ritual would crossover into that scene fairly well because of the themes and atmosphere within the Diabolic Formation's sound. So it should have a further wide ranging appeal not just limited to Doom and Traditional Heavy Metal.

The opening track 'Deflowered' serves as an instrumental introduction, which is laden with buzz beard riffs that are like a musical awakening of what is to come with the remainder of the album. All in all, it's a nice way to set the tone and familiarize the listener's ears with the sound.

Wickedness, here we are with all the forementioned influences to start the proceedings with moody horror tones such as a ritual in a movie, or something awakening from slumber to peer through the veil. Haunting, gothic, old school horror, which reminds Bog of Sabbath's NIB. Solid vocals and music overall, and is one of the stand out tracks.

Holy Lies, has very mean sick riffs with excellent passages and vocals, keeping the listener hooked in for the ride.

Save You was the only track Bog didn't like or feel, but it has an acoustic mellow vibe that I guess is reminiscent of various road or desert horror movies with a traveller driving in solitude throughout the wilderness.

Bloody Demon is a stoner rock orientated track coupled with the early Sabbath sound. An enjoyable track leading into the last two songs nicely.

D.E.D. is the other stand out track on the album. Vocally quite different with death doomy lead vocals that also transition into the clean sound again with guest vocals appearing to complement the overall tone nicely. Bog won't spoil this one too much for you, it's something you need to hear yourself, but a heavy amount of work was obviously invested in D.E.D.

A Beautiful End powerfully closes Diabolic Formations in the tone and vein of the whole album. It's not a filler track, nor one you will skip, which is testament to the quality music offered. Bog doesn't feel this will be a one time listen, but an album you will come back to.

Diabolic Formation isn't released for some time, but it's an album that is worthy of adding to your pre-order list. Enjoyable, creatively wide ranging, and presents a heavy metal cinematic experience that shouldn't disappoint the intended audience, and also those who can appreciate musician's drawing from other aspects to give their sound something to grab hold of our ears.