Part three of the aptly named Apocalypse Trilogy, ‘The Death Of All Things’ was recorded with the intention of it being Beastwars’ final record. Rather than quietly calling it a day we hear a band risking it all to forge one final masterpiece. That’s not to say this record isn’t classic Beastwars however. Album opener Call To The Mountain rumbles and roars, Devils Of Last Night is a future live favourite, while the title track is one of contemporary metal’s greatest closing statements. ‘The Death Of All Things’ most obvious point-of difference is Matt Hyde’s vocals which are clearer and cleaner, yet drenched in guttural power and emotion. Witches and Disappear for instance won’t see you reaching for the lyric book. One oddity enough is the inclusion of acoustic number The Devil Took Her. Reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s classical-inspired numbers such as Embryo and Fluff, it’s the Wellington foursome’s biggest musical departure yet, but amazingly doesn’t seem out of place. With the band sharing production duties with James Goldsmith, the album was recorded at The Blue Room Wellington where Hyde, drummer Nathan ‘Nato’ Hickey, guitarist Clayton Andrews and James Woods (bass) share a rehearsal space. Mixing was done by Andrew Schneider and the mastering by Brad Boatright/Audiosiege. The result is spectacular, a band that knows its strengths playing at the height of its powers. Whereas 2011’s self-titled introduction was Beastwars discovering its sound, and 2013’s ‘Blood Becomes Fire’ was an exercise in applying the band’s brutal approach to bigger production value, the final album in the trilogy is not only a combination of their previous two efforts, but a perfect swansong for one of the country’s very best.