Shall we call it H8001? Temple Guard, musically, have an obvious predilection for the Belgian-born style (H8000) of the late 90s. They are not metalcore, per se, especially considering how dirty that word has become over the years; in fact, they are more accurately described as metallic hardcore. The riffs are there, the breakdowns are there, and the two steps are there. All packaged within a veiled, secretive presence that adds a unique stature to the group. But, honestly, who gives a fuck about genre-pegging (giggity)? The real question should be: is this fucking dope or is it not? Temple Guard is most assuredly the dopeness and Citadel in Flames is the vehicle by which said dopeness is delivered.
It seems it’s not only temples that are guarded but also any general biographical information you’d normally expect from any band or musician. While pictures on their IG do indeed show members playing a gig, they seem to prefer to perform in ski masks, lending a further mystique to the act. Temple Guard’s identity seems to revolve around a Crusades-era motif, notably in defiance of the powers that be of the time. The Arabic word for “Hellfire” (جهنم) is their only bio on Bandcamp and their lyrical content along with various audio clips used on Citadel in Flames attest to the aforementioned fact.
The music itself on this album is a testament to focused anger, rage, and hate. Citadel in Flames is a progression in feel from Temple Guard’s previous releases; 2022’s LP, Spear of the Revenant and 2024’s EP, Morbid Sacrament. The latter of which could have been held up against any full length in 2024 and emerged victorious. The buzzsaw tone of the guitars brings to mind bloody battlefields of the past and present. The vocals are strong, in your face, and guttural. The rhythm section of drums and bass becomes the beating of your heart as it races while ingesting this manifesto of disdain.
“Blood Makes the Rain Fall” evokes Arkangel in its proressive forward movement culminating in a tidal wave of a breakdown prefaced by the most appropriate words you’ll find on this album, “eternal war”. For me, the cream of the crop is “A Vanguard Reforged” featuring John Olley of the incredible xRepentancex, a wholly remarkable UK band itself, and beginning with a poignant clip about devastation from the movie Rakka (the work of District 9’s Neil Blomkamp). Of course, xRepentancex is a likely inspiration for the track but it is easy to hear the Gothenburg influence of bands like At the Gates with instances of melodeath. The H8000 is strong as well, so fret not when the breakdown pummels your ear drums as simultaneously the sounds of bashing anvils are heard. If a groove is more your speed, Temple Guard provides “Iron Sultanate”. The song begins with a head nod inducing riff that continues until it’s proclaimed “There are no innocents” and then bloodshed. Tighten up your armor folks.
One of the more defining characteristics of H8000 and its ilk is the framework of an almost militaristic ideology surrounding the facets to which the bands subscribed. The genre brought forth many vegan, straight edge, and politically motivated groups that were unashamed of making those tenets a very noticeable part of their existence. Temple Guard employs this mentality as well within their lyrics, chosen audio clips, and album packaging (however, I will admit that when I first saw the album artwork for Morbid Sacrament, I instinctively thought Temple Guard was a doom band). That sentiment isn’t entirely incorrect as the band certainly deals in doom and destruction albeit not in the snake rattling, desert dwelling way. Temple Guard is fucking angry. Angry at the system, angry at control, angry at ideologues. Dogmatic behavior is for the dogs, so either pull on a ski mask and make a stand or fuck all the way off. Temple Guard has no use for fair-weather motherfuckers.
- Fav song: “A Vanguard Reforged”
FFO: H8000, Crusades, ski masks, death of dogma, breakdowns, two steps, mystery
Follow this fucking link to listen and while you’re there, fucking buy something from the band:
Windmills, Spinkicks, Headbangs, Push Pits 
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