Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Diatheke
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


Diatheke
Splendour - Single

Album length: 3 tracks: 26 minutes
Style: Progressive Melo-Death Metal
Street Date: June 11, 2021
Buy It: iTunes



Since its inception in 2017, the progressive melo-death metal band Diatheke (pronounced dee-uh-theek) has gone through quite a series of changes. The project started as a trio and quickly went inactive, returning as a solo act nearly a year later. Now that it's back to business as a trio, they've come together to release their third original single, "Splendour," a stunning, nearly nine-minute-long epic.

Simply put, "Splendour" is an impressive piece of work. Some artists have no business making their songs as long as they do, but Diatheke makes excellent use of each one of the 535 seconds they give us. The song is almost structured as a series of movements. While there's a clear-cut chorus and some verses, there are also several instrumental breaks in between that are designed to highlight the instrumentation, which ranges from heavy, methodical chugging to lightning fast double bass and guitar riffs. With all the time they had to fill, they could have easily filled it with mindless riffs and blast beats (not that there's anything necessarily wrong with those), but it's a nice change of pace to hear some interesting and technical music in those instrumental sections.

The music is paired nicely with an excellent combination of soaring clean vocals and intense screams and growls, both of which these guys are quite proficient with. The two vocalists, John Wesley and Michael Osborn (also the composer/bassist and drummer, respectively), also co-wrote the lyrics, using Philippians 3:12-14 as a basis. With an emphasis on pushing past the troubles of the world, the chorus says, "Onward, forward / leave behind your anguish / racing, reaching / gaze upon the splendour." But it doesn't leave you thinking that this can be done on our own strength, as the remainder of the lyrics testify to the majesty of God and His willingness to fight spiritual battles to save us. Perhaps my favorite portion is, "But with heart entrenched in mire / darkness beckons my heart to slumber / still You lay waste to the void / what trial has yet to halt my God? / does He yet shake the mountains? / does He still roar the seas? / the God of shepherds and lilies / yet still has eyes for me."

If you had never heard of Diatheke before today, "Splendour" is the perfect introduction. It highlights everything that this trio does well, making it the perfect jumping-off point into their other material. And as an added bonus, all of their original singles are available as a maxi-single with an instrumental version as well as an 8-bit version. If you're interested in metal with a melodic, progressive twist, "Splendour" is waiting for you wherever you consume music. I can't recommend it enough.

- Review date: 7/14/21, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 3 tracks: 26 minutes
. Street Date: June 11, 2021
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music

  1. Splendour (8:55)
  2. Splendour (Instrumental) (8:55)
  3. Splenbit (8bit Version) (8:48)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, September 9, 2025
DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent)
Former Ruins In Your Field - Single (independent)
John Van Deusen Hallelujah Story - Single [Anotherland]

This Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)

Next Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Joel Vaughn TBA [DREAM]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images