The Beginning – Genus Ordinis Dei

The Beginning by Genus Ordinis Dei

The Beginning by Genus Ordinis Dei, is the band’s fourth studio album, consisting of symphonic death metal at its finest: epic with a deep groove, rich in story, insight, and atmosphere. While the songs are represented visually by stunning videos, (all created, filmed, and produced by the band members themselves), the album is not just a soundtrack. The Beginning is a concept album and four-part music video series which tells a story of two siblings belonging to a tribe of cannibals in prehistoric times, searching for the truth about their religion, God, and the origins of mankind’s existence. All four videos fit together to tell the complete story. It is an experience, so finely crafted it feels precious, almost religious. Thematically, we visit ourselves at the dawn of mankind, and see our reflections in the beautiful violence, the glorious savagery, and the power of love and betrayal.

Musically, the first thing one might notice, is that the drumming is divine. Nico has an amazing feel for rich hummingbird sixteenths intertwining with that funky backbeat that gets us up on our chairs, hands in the air. Nick’s vocals are stellar and diverse, meeting the needs of those preferring the growl, straightforward traditional, or a heart-breaking hybrid of both, especially in the record’s signature piece, “For a New God.” In terms of Tommy’s guitar sound, it is massive yet unselfish, taking us along to ride shotgun straight to the terrifying colors of the soul.

Highlights on the album include the four singles, each represented by a stunning video episode in the greater four-part metal music video series. “Changing Star” is an epic single featuring powerful vocals in growls and traditional style, often delivered in hypnotic chants and incantations. The hummingbird sixteenths executed on drums are ethereal, and the mixed meter changes are a centerpiece for the first step in this intricate, powerful journey to the soul. “Genesis” puts the listener in a head-space with the divine, starting with gothic choral voices developing into driving melodies and eventual war calls, both addictive and personal. This is best symbolized by the power of the rhythm section, bold thunder, with the production of the ride cymbal, up close and haunting. “For a New God” is the signature song on The Beginning, featuring the most heartbreaking vocal ever recorded in rock music. The instrumental hook is brilliant in all its wonderful darkness, and the singing is a prism of loss, cold sorrow, and tragedy. “The Fortress Without Gates” is the anchor piece of The Beginning, featuring both a groove hook and an orchestral feel, as if blood and religiosity were personified in the form of some exotic beast hunting the world in search of enlightenment. Fangs are bared, souls are consumed, and in the end, only hunger remains.

This album was produced, mixed, and mastered by Tommaso Monticelli at Sonitus Studio, and the cover art was done by Andrea Spoto. The Beginning by Genus Ordinis Dei, front to back, is an awakening. A red dawn. An experience… It will be released by Eclipse Records on December 8, 2023.

Press Quotes & Highlights

• coming soon…

.