Dare to touch the live wire of metal debate—Third Rail Prayer by Ordeals will either ignite your passion or shock you into silence. But here's where it gets controversial: is this album a career-launching masterpiece or a missed connection in the metal underground? Ordeals, a NYC trio born in 2011, has spent 14 years crafting their sound, releasing two EPs and a split along the way.1 Drawing inspiration from the Australian metal scene, they promise a dark, winding fusion of black and death metal, enriched with moments of quiet grandeur. So, will Third Rail Prayer jumpstart their journey, or is this debut destined to fizzle out?
What Ordeals lacks in widespread recognition, they more than compensate for with exceptional musicianship. The blackened riffs delivered by bassist/guitarist Illuminated surge and twist like an unseen predator beneath the surface, constantly evolving through tempo shifts and key changes, as heard in tracks like ‘Throes.’ Tremolo-heavy sections, such as those in ‘Suffer Cursed Ordeals,’ evoke the intensity of Abominator, creating a feeling of urgent desperation. The bassline often serves as the perfect counterpart to the guitar, adding layers of depth and texture to every song, though it occasionally steps into the spotlight, like in the latter half of ‘Skeletonwitched Emerge.’ Drummer Bellum has a penchant for blast beats, but his toolkit is far more diverse. His drumming is dynamic and energetic, driving the album forward with a skillful and varied approach. Bellum sets the mood in ‘Scorn Ceremony,’ navigates transitions in ‘Third Rail Prayer’ and ‘Suffer Cursed Ordeals,’ and keeps the entire record engaging and lively.
A distinct, ritualistic energy permeates Third Rail Prayer. Instead of relying on high-pitched growls, vocalist Zealous Hellspell primarily uses powerful roars and shouts, reminiscent of Uada or Rotting Christ, which bring to mind secret religious rites or the chanting of dark incantations, as in ‘Triumph’ and ‘Suffer Cursed Ordeals.’ While Ordeals identifies as blackened death metal, I’d argue they also deliver a commendable dose of doom metal. Tracks like ‘Throes’ and ‘Triumph’ skillfully build unsettling tension with slow, Candlemass-like riffing. The steady bass and relentless drums in ‘Scorn Ceremony’ paint a vivid picture of sinister ceremonies, echoing the backwoods cult vibes of Choir. Ordeals knows how to release this tension effectively too. Alongside Hellspell’s fervent vocals, Illuminated and Bellum often conclude songs with a spiraling, dionysian energy that recalls Kvaen’s ‘The Funeral Pyre,’ seen in ‘Third Rail Prayer,’ ‘Throes,’ and ‘Emerge.’ Surprisingly, it’s in crafting this ceremonial, almost liturgical atmosphere where Ordeals truly shines.
Here’s the ironic twist: the atmospheric, doom-infused highlights of Third Rail Prayer are also its biggest critique. When Ordeals channels the spirit of Solitude Aeternus or Solstice, their measured, regal songwriting and palpable atmosphere surpass everything else on the album. Make no mistake, Third Rail Prayer is a solid listen from start to finish, but the more blackened and death-oriented parts feel somewhat underwhelming in comparison. While Zealous Hellspell’s passionate vocals help weave that primal essence throughout the record, the same cannot be said for Illuminated and Bellum’s contributions. Whenever Ordeals shifts focus away from doom, I find myself eagerly waiting for them to return to that style. The cohesion and flow in those Sabbath-inspired passages are so complete that it’s frustrating there isn’t more of it here.
Third Rail Prayer takes a ‘kitchen sink’ approach, showcasing a bit of everything Ordeals can do. They perform solid black metal and solid death metal, but they excel when playing high-quality, blackened doom. On this album, Ordeals treats their strongest trait as just another tool in their arsenal. This debut acts as a 40-minute demonstration of their capabilities, though it lacks a clear direction.2 If they can refine their focus on their strengths—stately, doomy songwriting and a deeply ceremonial atmosphere—and build upon them moving forward, they have the potential to create something extraordinary in a genre filled with good bands. Ordeals is a band worth keeping an eye on, and I have high hopes for what they’ll achieve next.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Labels: Eternal Death (https://eternaldeath.bandcamp.com/)
Websites: Bandcamp (https://ordealsascendant.bandcamp.com/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OrdealsAscendant/) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ordealsofficial/)
Releases Worldwide: September 26th, 2025
What do you think? Is Ordeals’ atmospheric doom the true gem, or does the blackened death metal deserve more attention? Let us know in the comments!
