Damnation's Veil - A Review of Ninth Realm's Sophomore Album

I’ll start off by saying that it is an absolute honor and privilege to be reviewing an album, pre-release, made by a band that has garnered attention and love from bigger names than my own. Ninth Realm is a band that is hard to fit into one category - power, thrash, OSDM - these descriptors and more can easily apply to this absolute powerhouse of a group. So, if you’re into all of that, you absolutely must listen to their upcoming album Damnation’s Veil!

Ninth Realm - left to right: Amelia Morris (bass), Charles House (rhythm guitar), Ben Hageage (vocals), Joey Burke (drums), and Liam McMahon (lead guitar)

On my first listen, I immediately thought “Mayhem meets Lord of The Rings meets Sabaton” and since then I’ve kept saying it. By no means is that the most artistic description, and I don’t really think any comparison could do this album justice. This 11-track LP is something special and definitely sets the standard for what a sophomore album should be. The opening build up instantly makes my stomach tense in preparation for what’s next, and the first drop in made the hair on my neck stand up. No kidding, I looked my dog in his face and said “Yo!!!” I think he understood, because he was just as into it as I was.

Damnation's Veil Album Cover

There’s so much to say about this album, and all of it's good. The raw aggression in the vocals, the melodic and face-melting riffs, and the beautifully done mastering of this drop is something that will assuredly breed jealousy and inspiration at the same time. Needless to say, everyone who worked on this poured every ounce of effort and talent available into it. To go from a quiet build to facemelters and to then bring it back to a slow sludge-esque sound in the first six minutes is something so damn special. A lot of bands could try this, and they might find some success here and there - but the guys Ninth Realm has mastered it.

I’ll wrap it up by saying this: if you’re looking for something viciously heavy that makes you scrunch your face and move the fuck around, you’ve gotta check out Ninth Realm. Two singles from Damnation’s Veil are already out, so go give “Cohorts of the Abyss” and “Rituals in Thar’amath” a listen while you wait for more. Don’t worry though, you won’t have to wait too long - this kickass album is coming out on August 28th! And if you’re looking for something to do after your first full-length listen, head over to Lyman’s Tavern in D.C. on August 29th for a listening party, exclusive merch, and a “Damnation’s Dog.” That’s right, Ninth Realm is dropping a sick album, a sick shirt, and an absolutely one-of-a-kind hotdog for one night only!

Get your damned dogs only at Lyman’s Tavern!

Thanks so much to Ninth Realm for an opportunity to hear what is assuredly one of my favorite albums of 2026!