Diocletian is a formidable force in the underground extreme metal scene, hailing from New Zealand, and are known for their unrelenting and brutal brand of war metal - a chaotic blend of black and death metal elements. They formed in 2004 and have since established themselves with a ruthless discography that is thematically steeped in themes of war, decimation, and historical tyranny, a nod to their namesake, the Roman Emperor Diocletian, known for his brutal reign and efforts to persecute Christians.

Their aggressive sound is characterized by a raw production, relentless pace, and a blasphemous aura that has been consistently honed across several releases. Beginning with their debut album "Doom Cult" in 2009, they set a high standard for the subgenre and continued to build their legacy with follow-up records like "War of All Against All" and the widely acclaimed "Gesundrian" in 2014. The band's discography also includes the compilation "Annihilation Rituals", which showcases their earlier works, further solidifying their status among extreme metal aficionados. In 2019, they unleashed "Amongst the Flames of a Burning God", further refining their craft and ensuring their reputation as one of the most punishing acts in the pantheon of war-themed extreme metal. Their live performances, such as that captured in "Live in Leipzig", are as ferocious and incendiary as their studio efforts, marking Diocletian as a relentless presence both on record and on stage.

Genres

Black Death

Nz Metal

Voidgaze

Voidgrind

War Metal

Latest Release

Inexorable Nexus

Diocletian

Album - 7 Tracks - Released May 16, 2024