EPK – Ophiolatry – Serpent’s Verdict (2025) (WormHoleDeath Records)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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“On this new record, the band bring their traditonal Brazilian influence and their heavy, atmospheric approach together to create something new. All the songs on the record come together to tell a story. ” – Decibel Magazine (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“Blending technical brutality with tribal rhythms and ritualistic atmosphere, “Jesus Complex” tackles themes of religious indoctrination and spiritual hypocrisy. Serpent’s Verdict marks Ophiolatry’s long-awaited return following 2008’s Transmutation.” – Metal Insider (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“One good turn deserves another and so having punched us full in the face with first single “Death Tour“, Brazilian Death Metal force Ophiolatry kick us in the guts with “Jesus Complex“. Both tracks take pride of place on the bands upcoming new album “Serpent’s Verdict“, a 6th June release via WormHoleDeath Records. Introducing views to the ritualistic atmosphere that is said to run through the album, the track explores themes of religious manipulation and spiritual corruption with tribal rhythms adding to the bands signature technical brutality.” – Metal Noise (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“Each song adds something unique or subtly deviates from the previous one, underscoring the band’s versatility and craftsmanship. With ‘Serpent’s Verdict’, Ophiolatry proves that they are completely back – stronger, deeper, and more creative than ever. 9/10” – Arrow Lords of Metal (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“Every track is perfectly crafted, a self contained story presented on a plate of furious Death Metal, covering subjects as diverse as ancestral pain, war defiance, and spiritual reckoning. And not once across Serpent’s Verdict 13 tracks does it ever flag. “The sonic assault is relentless and doesn’t let up, and neither do you want it to. You want it to punish you, to force you to kneel at its altar and praise your new serpent overlords, and you do so quite willingly.” – Black Metal Archive (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
““Serpent’s Verdict” of Ophiolatry it’s the new face of the band, it’s unlike any of their past albums, and that’s best of all, Death Metal with a 90s flavor, but it has all the power of our times in style, and with that you are already guaranteed many pogo and monstrous parts on your speakers. Very good. 8.7/10” – Hardsounds.it (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“the new guitarist smokes and shreds with a fury and the new vocalist is perfectly suited for this style.” – Mystification Zine (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“Brutal death metal, a smidge of a blackened death too” – WORT 89.9 FM – The Mosh Pit (Madison, WI) (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)
“An album to seek out of a
“According to Merriam-Webster, “ophiolatry” means “the worship of or attribution of divine or sacred nature to snakes.” You can certainly feel the snakes of death metal surround you as you listen to “Abyss of Alienation” from Brazil’s Ophiolatry, featuring hypnotic riffs, brutal vocals and crushing rhythms reminiscent of Hate Eternal, Nile and Steve Tucker-era Morbid Angel. The song is a re-recording of a track from the band’s 2008 album, Transmutation.” – Decibel Magazine (2023 Single – Abyss of Alienation)
“Hailing from Brazil comes Ophiolatry, a three-piece powerhouse of a brutal death metal band whose bread-and-butter sound comprises blistering drumming and technical guitar lines set against a suffocating and claustrophobic sonic backdrop.” TheMetalForge.com
“Ophiolatry will reward the open-minded metal head with an inflection of national culture, post-modernism and, of course, stunningly brutal death metal.” – Sputink Music
“…Relentless blastbeats and truly brutal guitar work that have the ability to pummel the listener into a fine powder.” – Scene Point Blank
“[…] similar technical versatile approach on Death Metal as defined by KRISIUN but where the latter still have a disappointing song writing quality OPHIOLATRY have more feel, more structure and variation.” – Voices from the Dark Side
“[…] you’ve got yourself another nice brutal death metal band, comparable with (older work of) for example the Brazilian bands Krisiun, Mental Horror and Nephasth, as well as North American’s Monstrosity and Vital Remains – who came up in my mind because of the guitar virtuosity.” – Metal Rage
“A Lendária banda de Brutal Death Metal Ophiolatry está de volta as atividades.” – Brazil Legion Nekrounderground
Band: Ophiolatry
Album Title: Serpent’s Verdict
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Label: WormHole Death Records
Distribution: Bit Organization Inc / Aural Music webstore
Track Listing:
1 – Jesus Complex – 3:48
2 – Revenge – 4:21
3 – Generation Curse – 3:09
4 – Death Tour – 3:35
5 – Serpent’s Spits – 4:31
6 – Atheris – 1:32
7 – Apophis – 5:01
8 – Midia Bible – 3:34
9 – Manipulations Guilt – 4:03
10 – Heaven Jails – 3:26
11 – Narcissistic Victim Syndrome – 4:06
12 – Human Factory – 3:18
13 – Ecdysis – 2:34
Album Length: 47:03Album Recording Credits:
All songs performed and composed by Ophiolatry.
Mastering: Dan Swanö – http://www.unisound.se
Artwork: LouLou – http://www.louloufineart.com
Pre-Production: Steve Rumpli & Ophiolatry
Production, Recording & Mixing: Diego Santiago
Studio: Satori Estudio
Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando
Graphic Layout: Beto MustafaAlbum Band Line Up;
Jaime Veron – Lead Vocals
Diego Santiago – Bass
George “Dog” Duarte – Drums
Fred Barros – Guitars
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About The Album Artwork:
The album cover was conceived during the filming of the Jesus Complex music video. In a surprising and unforeseen moment, a snake slithered over the mask, creating a powerful image that was captured live by a high-quality film camera. These raw and symbolic images became the basis of the album’s artwork, embodying the music’s themes in a visceral and authentic way.
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Lyrically:
The album delves into themes of spiritual revenge, indigenous resistance, and the clash between ancient traditions and imposed beliefs. Inspired by real events in the Amazon, mythology and existential suffering, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of war, punishment and transcendence through pain. Each song tells a story, whether it be warriors resurrected for revenge, the wrath of serpent gods, or the fall of oppressive ideologies. The words are raw, intense and unrelenting, reflecting the chaotic brutality of the music itself.
Musically:
This album pushes our technical and compositional limits while maintaining the speed and aggression that defines Ophiolatry. The riffs are intricate but wild, combining relentless blast rhythms with haunting atmospheric passages. The drums are faster and more precise than ever, while the guitars weave a mix of crisp precision and crushing heaviness. The vocals convey pure ferocity, from guttural growls to visceral screams that echo the intensity of the lyrics. While we pursue a new approach, the essence of Ophiolatry remains intact: ruthless, dark and unapologetically extreme.
This is not just another brutal death metal album; It is an immersive sonic assault, carrying both the weight of history and the fury of rebellion
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. Jesus Complex – is a state of mind where a person believes they are a savior or prophet An explosive opener exposing the hypocrisy of religious indoctrination, portraying a fractured messianic identity warped by control and manipulation.
2. Revenge – This song was inspired by a true event that occurred in the United Kingdom, where a woman killed her husband by placing boiling water mixed with sugar in her husband’s mouth when he was sleeping. She did so in an act of revenge after discovering accusations of child sexual abuse.
3. Generation Curse – A brutal commentary on inherited trauma, the cycle of suffering passed through bloodlines, and the struggle to break free.
4. Death Tour- is a powerful track inspired by Greek mythology, depicting the journey of a fallen warrior’s soul through the realm of death. As the spirit is carried across the River Styx, it approaches the gates of Hades, where the warrior’s tribe awaits his arrival, welcoming him into the afterlife.
5. Serpent’s Spits – Drawing inspiration from a brutal real-life assault in the deep rainforest Amazon, this song tells the tale of a serpent swallowing the attacker before regurgitating him on the riverbank, marking his fate.
6. Atheris (Instrumental) – A dark and ominous instrumental interlude, evoking the stealth and precision of the viper it is named after.
7. Apophis – A chaotic storm of riffs and blast beats, embodying the ancient Egyptian serpent god of chaos and destruction.
8. Media Bible – A scathing critique of modern media as the new scripture, spreading deception and manufactured narratives. “Media is the New god, new religion”
9. Manipulations Guilt – A psychological dissection of control, guilt, and subjugation, mirroring how those in power manipulate the weak.
10. Heaven Jails – A furious rejection of the illusion of paradise, depicting heaven as another prison built to pacify the masses.
11. Narcissistic Victim Syndrome – A violent introspection on the self-inflicted wounds of a society obsessed with victimhood and validation.
12. Human Factory – A dystopian vision of human mass production, where individuality is crushed in favor of conformity.
13. Ecdysis (Instrumental) – A closing instrumental that symbolizes shedding the old skin and emerging transformed—both a death and a rebirth.
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STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT
THE BAND
Statement by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums)
In my childhood when I was living in the Amazon, I experienced a trauma that would change me forever. I witnessed a horrific act committed against my younger sister. The nightmare ended only due to the intervention of our neighbors, while the attacker fled.
Horrified by what had happened, the small fishing community launched a relentless hunt to capture the agressor. Eventually, he was found near of the Machado River.
Days later, his remains were discovered miles away, regurgitated on the riverbank by a massive serpent. He had been beheaded and quartered.
That moment was burned into my soul. For many, the serpent is a symbol of fear, but for me, it became something else: justice, a force of nature, an executioner that delivers retribution.
When I shared this story with the bandmate , everyone resonated with its meaning. That is how Ophiolatry was born in 1998, not just a name, but a concept: the worship of the serpent as an entity of power, vengeance, and balance. Through our music, we channel that relentless energy, ensuring that no act of brutality goes unanswered.
Today, Ophiolatry remains an unstoppable force in extreme metal, carrying the spirit of the serpent in every riff and every blast beat.
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
Statement by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums)
On our first tour in Europe, our guitarist had a contact he communicated with through letters. We had no money to make the tour happen, but the mother of one of our members owned a small mineral water distribution business and she give me bottles at a discounted price. Every day, I loaded my cooler and went to bus stations to sell water, gathering funds for the tour. We traveled to Europe without a single show booked, but through that contact, we managed to connect with others and secure some gigs. We went through hunger and cold, but our determination was stronger. With pure grit and sacrifice, we completed our first tour at the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004.
This first tour opened doors for us, and in 2007, we embarked on our second European tour—this time with confirmed shows at major festivals like Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Exit Fest (Serbia), and Rock Marathon(Hungary). This tour was a turning point, as we had the opportunity to share the stage with some of the biggest names in metal like Max Cavalera, Creadle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir etc. The struggles of our first tour had paid off, and now we were making our mark on the European scene with solid performances and growing recognition.
L-R – Diego Santiago (Bass), Jaime Veron (Lead Vocals), Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (Drums), Fred Barros (Guitar)
Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando
Formed in 1998 by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums), Antonio Costa (guitars), Fabio Zperandio (bass), and Tiago Nunes (vocals), Ophiolatry emerged from the depths of Brazil’s extreme metal underground, quickly establishing themselves as a relentless force in the global scene. Their debut demo, Opposite Monarchy (1999), showcased a raw, unrelenting sound that caught the attention of Mutilation Records, leading to a split release with Ancestral Malediction. This early work laid the foundation for their signature blend of technical brutality and unhinged aggression.
The band soon reached international audiences when Opposite Monarchy was featured on Brazilian Assault (2000), a compilation by Relapse Records that introduced Ophiolatry to Europe and North America. This exposure marked the beginning of their ascent in the global extreme metal community.
In 2001, Ophiolatry signed with North American label Evil Vengeance Records and recorded their first full-length album, Anti-Evangelistic Process. Mastered by the legendary Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal), the album was released in 2002 to critical acclaim, solidifying their reputation as one of the most uncompromising acts in the underground. A year later, the band unleashed the Misanchristianthropy EP as a split release with Infernal Dominion via Deathgasm Records, followed by a grueling 50-day European tour that further cemented their status as a formidable live act.
Ophiolatry continued their onslaught with a series of split releases in 2005 and 2006 before signing with Forces of Satan Records, the Norwegian label founded by Infernus of Gorgoroth. Their relentless live performances earned them a slot at the prestigious Brutal Assault Festival in the Czech Republic in 2006, alongside the inclusion of their track Diabolism on the Brutal Assault Open Air Festival Compilation Vol. 11.
In 2008, Ophiolatry released their second full-length album, Transmutation, through Forces of Satan Records and Regain Records, showcasing a refined yet even more brutal evolution of their sound. That same year, Anti-Evangelistic Process was re-released, reaffirming its status as a landmark album in the band’s discography.
After a 13-year hiatus, Ophiolatry returned in 2021 with a renewed lineup and a revitalized vision. Founding member Jhorge “Dog” Duarte was joined by Jaime Veron (vocals), Diego Santiago (bass), and Fred Barros (guitars), injecting new energy into the band’s ferocious sound. In April 2021, they unleashed their latest single, Somehow, signaling a new era of sonic devastation.
In 2022, Ophiolatry joined forces with the renowned management company Extreme Management Group Inc. (EMG), known for representing such as Suffocation, Atheist, Cryptopsy and more. With EMG’s backing, the band gained support in the international music industry, further reinforcing their global presence.
Under the leadership of Jaime Veron (vocals) and with this formidable lineup, Ophiolatry embarked on the creation of their highly anticipated third full-length album, Serpent’s Verdict. Recorded and mixed at Studio Satori by Diego Santiago and mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö (Desiction Dissection, Bathory, Opeth, Dark Funeral, etc) the album represents a new chapter in the band’s evolution. Featuring 13 relentless tracks, Serpent’s Verdict blends Ophiolatry’s signature brutality with a renewed intensity and is set for release in 2025 via Wormhole Death Records.
With an uncompromising vision and an unyielding commitment to sonic devastation, Ophiolatry continues to carve its legacy as one of the most formidable forces in brutal death metal. Their relentless evolution and unwavering dedication to the craft ensure that their name will remain etched in the annals of extreme metal history.
Discography:
2025 – Serpent’s Verdict (Full Album) – Wormhole Death Records
2008 – Transmutation (Full Album) – Forces of Satan Records/ Regain Records
2001 – Anti-Evangelistic Process( Full Album) – Evil Vengeance Records
1999 – Opposite Monarchy (Demo) – Millennium Records
Artists Endorsements: DR Strings, Valeton, In tunes guitar pick.
Shared Stage with: Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Behemoth, Mayhem, Carcass, Arch Enemy, Samael, Septiflesh, Sinister and many more.
Tours and Festivals:
European BlasTour 2007/2008
07-07 Ser Novi Sad @ Exit fest
08-07 MAC Skopje @ Vulkan
10-07 HUN Pecs @ Rock Marathon Fest
11-07 SK Nitra @ Naozzay
12-07 SK Puchov @ XXX Club
15-07 POL Poznan @ U Bazyla
04-08 SER Belgrade @ Dom Omladine
05-08 SER @ Cacak
06-08 SER @ Kragujevac
07-08 SER Sombor @ Kabare
11-08 CZE Svojsice u Prelouce @ Brutal Assault Fest
18-08 CH Muotathal @ Moutains of Death FestOPHIOLATRY European Tour 2003/2004
12.18 Antwerpen – Belgium
01.07 Gent – Belgium
01.09 Gent – Belgium
01.10 Mechelen – Belgium
01.11 Gent- Belgium
01.17 Bree – Belgium
01.22 Zalaegerszog – Hungary
01.23 Szeged – Hungary
01.24 Pocs- Hungary
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