After a few seconds of the fast opener Vengeance Is Sworn, one fact is clear: GRAVEWORM have elaborated an own sound, which integrates more melodic Black Metal elements on this new record. Andy Classen wrapped the moderately aggressive music into a very transparent and intensive sound. On the one hand, every fan will like that only marginal changes happened, but at the same time I think that the band does not use all of its creativity.

Naturally, GRAVEWORM compose very good songs. They do not forget about calm elements besides decent aggression: sometimes the keyboard takes on the melody lead apart from the continuous melodic guitar work. Interim, stomping mid-tempo dominates, mixed with screeched passages and headbanger-friendly, driving chords, which let the listener raise his fists towards the sky. This mixture is well elaborated during the title track Diabolical Figures, which comes up with nice interspersed keyboard sequences in the background – only a breathtaking refrain is missing.
The following song Hell’s Creation offers everything I desire: a rhythm to teeter with, explosive guitar leads, unobtrusive keys, which attach an anthem-like touch, but unfortunately I wait for the crowning chorus in vain.
Afterwards, Forlorn Hope is spiced with a decent modern style and varies speed in floating manner. In addition, the cool groove knows to elate and a brilliant refrain stays in my mind!
In case of Architects Of Hate the aggression kills the catchiness totally. That’s why this song passes me by in unspectacular and traceless manner. GRAVEWORM speed up a little during New Disorder, which comes across with structured build-up in contrast to the title :) - despite that fact the band stays colorless. Message In A Bottle is played as unavoidable cover version in nice but not really necessary way, because of little creativity.
Towards the end, stomping Dark Metal and melodic Black Metal are intertwined during Ignorance Of Gods. Maybe you can imagine what’s missing anew? Of course, a real intoxicating refrain, this would emboss this good track. The album is concluded by the uninspired riff dabbling named The Reckoning, for me it arouses a half-hearty and not convincing impression.

My overall view is therefore really two-faced: I pay some respect to GRAVEWORM for being that constant in work, but Diabolical Figures lacks of impelling hook lines as well as overwhelming refrains. I am a fan since the beginning in the late nineties and the past is a burden – therefore GRAVEWORM can’t manage to fulfill my expectations. Nice, but the group is able to create much better music.