Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Deicide To Hell With God Company: Century Media Release: 2011 Genre: Death Reviewer: Ben McCraw

Pure anti-religious aggression

For those of you that were ready to declare Deicide's new album as down for the count, be forewarned: this album rips harder than ever.

A short glimpse over the bands ten (studio) album catalogue reveals that Deicide are one of the few metal bands that can undergo personnel changes without losing the ferocity that originally spawned them. This would include Glen Benton's anti-religious lyrics coupled with intense drumming and wild guitar solos.

This record carries that tradition well, with Ralph Santolla carrying the full weight of the leads over (ex-Cannibal Corpse) Jack Owen's brutal rhythms. The guitar solos are very up-front and personal on this outing, but both guitarists mesh incredibly well; the rhythm doesn't drown out the lead at any point. This lack of guitar ridden ego serves the production well, as there is almost no reverb (echo) which unmasks every nuance of the guitars.

Founding member Steve Asheim (also Order of Ennead) takes his drumming to creative new heights on this one. There are modern sounding drumlines at times, almost Children of Bodom-esque, which is striking, but nonetheless effective for the band's sound. Last but certainly not least, the enigmatic personality of Glen Benton comes through on his bass and vocals, a growl that is recognizable from a mile away to any real Death Metal fan, and provides the bloodstream through which his lyrical venom travels.

Song titles such as "Servant of the Enemy", with the verse: "Bible, the book of blood; it will be denied, servant of enemy, it's your time to die" show that Benton isn't one to craft songs for the poseur masses. And neither is the rest of the band, for that matter. The brutality abounds on "Convicton" and "Save Your", while fluid solos shine on the catchy "Angels of Hell" and "Into the Darkness You Go". Sound-wise, this album is a definite departure from 2006's "The Stench of Redemption", but is unique from 2008's "Til Death Do Us Part" as well.

Truth be told it has a sound all it's own, more melodic than past efforts, and listening to the title track will give fans all the information they need to know. For anyone unfamiliar with Deicide, now is your time to get acquainted. The sound is seething in pure anti-religious aggression; blasphemy the way God intended.