Review: Lord Belial – Unholy Trinity

Introduction

Lord Belial! The band doesn’t really need an introduction, but for those that are new to the genre, or have been living under rock for the last 30 years, here is a small summary. The band is from Sweden and started in the year 1992. In that time, they released a few albums; Kiss the Goat (Sic Transit Gloria Mundi), Enter the Moonlight Gate and Unholy Crusade.

The albums mentioned are the first 3 albums they released, since I grew up with those albums I still love them, but after a while I lost a track of the band because as you all know they’re just so many bands to listen too and that number only increased when days turned into weeks… yada, yada you get the point.

Due to some health issues, the band decided to stop, but low and behold, they are back! After Rapture in 2022, it’s now time for Unholy Trinity. So let’s dive in and let’s see if they continue on the same road.

Unholy Trinity

Unholy Trinity feels like a natural continuation of Lord Belial’s return, following Rapture in 2022. Where Rapture marked their comeback after a 14-year silence, Unholy Trinity proves that the band isn’t just back for a quick sting, they continue the path and this album is perhaps even stronger than Rapture.

One of the most noticeable improvements for me is in the mixing of the album. Compared to Rapture, which sounded a bit muffled (at least while listening to it through Apple Music), Unholy Trinity is clearer and more powerful. Everything is easier to hear, and each part has room to breathe and to be part of a larger picture without being drowned out.

Talking about atmosphere, the drums really carry the atmosphere on this album. They’re loud, relentless, and hit with machine-gun force—especially on the final track, “Antichrist.” But at the same time, they’re precise and controlled. The production lets them shine without overwhelming the rest.

The guitar work has always been a strong point for Lord Belial, and it’s no different here. The riffs are great, but instead of just leading the charge, they work as part of the whole—supporting the drums and vocals to create a complete, unified sound.

While there’s definitely aggression on the album, it’s not just non-stop fury. There are melodic parts too, and everything fits together. It feels like one solid piece of music, not just a bunch of songs thrown together.

Vocally, Thomas Backelin sounds as strong as ever. His performance on Unholy Trinity is powerful and convincing—like he’s delivering a black sermon straight from the depths of the abyss, and that’s how it should be while listening to black metal.

Conclusion

Even though I lost track of Lord Belial the last few years, I’m excited to see that they are still going strong. Rapture was the first album after their grand return, and Unholy Trinity is continuation of that return. I recommend this album too everyone out there, just give it a spin and I doubt you will be disappointed.

BMZ Rating: 8 out of 10 – Very Good: An impressive album that rises above many others. It features innovative ideas, captivating lyrics, or excellent musicianship that makes it stand out.

Support the band here: https://hammerheart.bandcamp.com/album/unholy-trinity

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