Review: LEPER DIVINE “Ascension of Plagued Souls”

Full-length, Broken Bones Promotion & Productions

(2026)

"Ascension of Plagued Souls" by Leper Divine is an absolute gem, a true masterclass in extreme metal that fuses pure violence, dark vibes, and off-the-charts compositional complexity. From the very first second, the record plunges you into a pitch-black, suffocating mood, but what really makes the difference is the level of detail and alien technique behind it.

The truly insane part? It's all the work of a single genius: Tregor Russo. The Sicilian multi-instrumentalist handled the entire vision in total autonomy, taking care of everything—from songwriting to mixing, right down to playing every single instrument, from 7-string and classical guitars to drums, 5-string bass, and all vocal parts. 

Blazing the trail for this cathartic journey were the three lead-off singles: the mystical energy and constant time-signature shifts of "Arcane Spell", the devastating and epic dynamics of "Edge of Twilight", and the mature, deeply dark atmosphere of "Pathway Of Dark Seasons", serving as the perfect bridge into the overall mood of the work. Russo’s ability to alternate crushing blows with melodic, intricate, almost baroque moments is chilling.

His guitars lay down razor-sharp riffs and hyper-technical solos that are never boring or flashy for the sake of it, backed by a powerful, super-dynamic rhythmic groove. Topping it all off is a monstrous vocal performance, where deep growls alternate with razor-sharp screams capable of conveying genuine torment and that dramatic sense of "ascension" evoked by the title.

The sound is monolithic, modern, and punchy, yet without losing that raw, organic grit that lets the record breathe. With zero filler, the album flows like a heavy, pitch-black, extremely impactful ride: Ascension of Plagued Souls is a flex of pure talent and a mandatory listen at illegal volumes.

Toxic Trace

Rating: 4,5/5

Tracklist:

1. Forgotten Memories

2. Immortal Gloominess

3. Mental Perceptions

4. Desert Land

5. Arcane Spell

6. End of Twilight

7. Faceless Bodies

8. Sinner Redemption

9. Pathway of Dark Seasons

10. Prophetic Transfiguration

Line-up:

Tregor Russo - Everything

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