Scour’s Gold is nothing short of a monumental achievement in the black metal realm, and perhaps even in extreme metal as a whole. The band, led by none other than Phil Anselmo, has crafted an album that blends the ferocity of black metal with the technical prowess and heavy aggression that Anselmo’s legacy in bands like Pantera and Down has cultivated. Gold is an album that commands attention from the very first note, an exploration of raw energy and relentless power.
From the outset, the album is a sonic assault that doesn’t let up. Scour’s signature sound of blistering speed, gnashing riffs, and ferocious drumming is present throughout, but Gold takes things to the next level. The tracks are meticulously crafted, with razor-sharp precision, but still manage to exude the chaotic, untamed spirit of black metal. It’s clear that Scour isn’t just playing to the conventions of the genre—they’re pushing its boundaries, expanding the palette with influences from across the extreme metal spectrum.
Anselmo’s voice, ever the commanding force in heavy music, delivers an incredible performance here. His guttural growls and shrieks are more intense than ever, matching the musical onslaught that surrounds him. There’s an emotional depth to his vocals, a sense of catharsis woven into the blackened screams that anchor the record. Whether he’s delivering crushing, down-tuned growls or soaring in moments of intensity, Anselmo’s performance keeps the listener on the edge of their seat.
The instrumentation is just as compelling. The guitar work is razor-sharp, with intricate riffing that blends old-school black metal tremolo picking with more modern, dissonant elements. The rhythm section, particularly the drumming, is ferocious, delivering blast beats and frenetic rhythms that push the album into new levels of intensity. There’s a perfect balance between the chaos and precision—between creating a wall of sound and allowing subtle moments of restraint to give the music more weight and emotional impact.
What truly sets Gold apart from other black metal releases this year is its ability to transcend genre confines and bring in different elements that help it stand out in the extreme metal landscape. While it’s firmly rooted in the traditions of black metal, Scour blends in elements of death metal, grindcore, and even post-metal to create a truly dynamic listening experience. This isn’t just an album filled with blast beats and tremolo picking—it’s a record that understands the importance of dynamics, tension, and release.
One of the most striking aspects of Gold is its cohesiveness. Each track feels like a part of a larger narrative, yet they stand strongly on their own as individual pieces of work. The pacing is impeccable, with slower, more atmospheric moments strategically placed among the furious attacks, adding texture and variety to the overall sound. The album’s title, Gold, is fitting in this regard—it’s an album that feels like a refined, high-quality piece of work, meticulously composed to offer something meaningful for both black metal purists and those seeking something more expansive within extreme music.
If Scour’s previous efforts were a statement of potential, Gold is their definitive statement, an album that proves they are among the elite of extreme metal. This is an album for fans who want intensity without compromise, musicianship without pretension, and raw emotion in every note. Gold doesn’t just confirm Scour’s place at the table—it ensures they’re leading the charge, setting new standards for what black metal can be in 2025.
For extreme metal fans, Gold is essential listening. It’s a perfect blend of aggression, technicality, and raw emotion, delivered by a band that has reached the pinnacle of their craft.
Scour’s Gold is not just another black metal album; it’s an exploration of the genre’s deepest, darkest corners while simultaneously pushing its boundaries into thrilling new territory. Building upon their previous efforts, Scour has crafted a record that blends black metal’s unrelenting intensity with death metal’s precision and grindcore’s brutal aggression, resulting in a masterpiece that feels both familiar and incredibly fresh.
The track “Blades,” as the second single from Gold, serves as a perfect introduction to the record’s chilling atmosphere. The dueling tremolo guitars from Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index, Cast The Stone) and Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals, ex-Cattle Decapitation) bring the icy winds of Western Norway’s black metal sound to the forefront, with their alternate picking adding a signature Scandinavian edge. It’s a sound that immediately transports the listener to the dark, grim landscapes of the genre’s roots, while still feeling modern and relevant.
Gold has an exceptional way of embracing black metal’s signature style while expanding into other extreme subgenres. “Coin” and “Evil” follow suit with their wall-of-sound guitar layers, providing that heavy, grim atmosphere. But it’s “Infusorium” that particularly stands out, showcasing Scour’s versatility. The song retains the essence of black metal but ventures into death and grind elements, melding dissonant, frantic guitar work with blast beats and powerful breakdowns. This blending of styles not only honors the band’s black metal roots but also pushes them forward, resulting in a more evolved and modern sound that will surely appeal to fans of both classic and contemporary extreme metal.
In addition to the ferocity of the music, Scour’s lyrical approach is unapologetically over the top, and Gold makes no exception. “Invoke” brings a delightfully 90’s-inspired black metal aesthetic, with lyrics like “Invoke the Master’s goat. All hail Satan! Be at one with hell. Give the body to Satan!” It’s pure, unfiltered black metal theatrics that might bring a grin to any fan of the genre who grew up with the era of black metal’s rise.
What truly elevates Gold is the rhythm section, which packs an unrelenting punch. Brothers John and Adam Jarvis (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, etc.) lay down an absolutely punishing foundation, driving the tracks forward with relentless precision. Their chemistry, honed through years of playing in some of the most brutal bands in extreme metal, gives Gold its truly vicious edge. You can feel the aggression in every blast beat, every rapid double kick, and it’s a perfect complement to the album’s uncompromising atmosphere.
Special guest appearances also add another layer of depth to Gold. Guitar legend Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus) delivers a blistering solo on one of the album’s tracks, showcasing the prowess and creativity that runs through this album’s veins. His contribution is a fitting addition to the record, offering a familiar name in extreme metal circles who elevates an already impressive release.
The production of Gold is a significant achievement as well. Recorded in 2023 and 2024, the album’s mix—crafted by Dennis Israel—captures the raw intensity of Scour’s sound while still providing the clarity needed to appreciate the technicality of the musicianship. Mastered by Jens Bogren in Sweden, the record maintains the gritty, abrasive nature of black metal without succumbing to the lo-fi aesthetic that has plagued some modern releases. Instead, the band achieves a perfect balance—dark, dense, and heavy without sacrificing the sharpness and clarity that lets the music breathe.
Ultimately, Gold is a no-doubt must-have for extreme metal fans. It’s a record that not only delivers everything you expect from a black metal album but also pushes the envelope in terms of innovation, blending multiple subgenres to create something uniquely Scour. With its relentless intensity, sharp musicianship, and unforgettable moments of brutal aggression, Gold is a contender for the top of the year in extreme metal. Scour has firmly established themselves as one of the genre’s most formidable forces, and this album is proof of their relentless drive to create, innovate, and dominate.
