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Deicide
…Till Death Do Us Part
(Earache Records)
Ever get the feeling that most domestically-based Death Metal bands lack the musical conviction and lyrical sincerity of their European counterparts? Seriously…stop and actually think about it. Although I’ll be the first to admit I wholeheartedly enjoy the now pioneering early works of early Cannibal Corpse, Death and Possessed (and to a lesser extent, later-day Morbid Angel and Obituary) as much--if not more--than the average self-proclaimed big music geek, I frequently find myself disappointed by the lack of quality that typically characterizes the recorded works of most ‘…American groups…’. Needless to say, when I was initially approached regarding writing a review of the highly-anticipated …Till Death Do Us Part, the searing tenth (!) studio offering from Tampa, Florida-based veterans Deicide, I was only more than happy to oblige.
On the brilliant …Till Death Do Us Part (2008), an expertly assembled ten song collection of uncompromisingly ‘…over the top…’ Death Metal, each track, beginning with the indisputably thunderous “The Beginning Of The End”, and the bile-spewing tirade “Hate Of All Hatreds”, immediately commands the rapt and undivided attention of all parties involved (myself most definitely included). Pounding their few unsuspecting oppressors into an almost hypnotic submission via what can only be described as an overwhelmingly forthright sonic attack, the group punctuates each key focal point with a disturbingly passionate vengeance, resulting in an initial musical experience that is ultimately as damaging as it is enjoyable. The ringing in your ears and the pains in your neck? Don’t worry. It will eventually go away…I think.
Continuing with the scalding “In The Eyes Of God”, and the curiously-titled (albeit devastatingly punishing) “Worthless Misery”, the steadfast--to say the very least--combination of vocalist/bassist Glen Benton (also of Vital Remains), guitarists Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse, Adrift) and Ralph Santolla (Death, Iced Earth, Sebastian Bach), and drummer Steve Asheim steamroll ahead like the well-oiled machine they have obviously once again become. Effortlessly proving their proverbial mettle early and often, the frequently ferocious foursome wastes little--if any--time tearing through a refreshingly well-balanced blend of delightfully blood-caked material that, while deftly showcasing the quartet’s recent melody-fueled growth and progression, wisely acknowledges the frantic, much-celebrated ‘…all things black, death and evil….’ formula of yore.
With the once seemingly unlikely duo of Owen and Santolla once again delivering a mind-boggling array of churning riffs and blistering solos, other standouts, including the relentlessly pummeling “Not As Long As We Both Shall Live”, and the equally impressive instrumental closer “The End Of The Beginning”, only add to the group’s already undeniably well-deserved reputation as a bona fide creative force not to be ignored. So what are the ‘…low points…’? Fortunately for all parties involved, they are mercifully few and far between. Even if you somehow find yourself less than enthused with Benton’s trademark garbled (if not outright unintelligible) delivery, one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the group’s increasingly unique ability to remain musically relevant amid the seemingly continuous stylistic metamorphoses of their contemporaries.
So what’s wrong? Still not sure if you like it? Seriously, dude…do us all a huge favor and get a freakin’ grip. Easily one of the improbably long-running group’s most uncompromisingly brutal efforts to date (surpassing both 2006’s quasi-classic comeback The Stench Of Redemption as well as 2004’s abysmal Earache debut Scars Of The Crucifix), the majority--if not all--of the decidedly blasphemous wares contained herein effectively serve as a much-welcomed reminder of the group’s once-dominant presence amid the impossibly tumultuous Death Metal genre. Not surprisingly, if you’ve once again found yourself in search of a fist-pumping, mosh-inducing alternative to the painfully atonal din and clatter that is so often force fed en mass, then this, my friends, might just be the high octane cure for what ails you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Select Discography
…Till Death Do Us Part (2008) **
Doomsday L.A. (DVD) (2007) **
When London Burns (DVD) (2006) **
The Stench Of Redemption (2006) **
Scars Of The Crucifix (2004) *
In Torment In Hell (2001) *
Insineratehym (2000) *
When Satan Lives (1998) *
Serpents Of The Light (1997) *
Once Upon The Cross (1995) *
Amon: Feasting The Beast (1993) *
Legion (1992) *
Decide (1990) *
* features guitarist Brian and Eric Hoffman
** features guitarists Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla