CD review BENEDICTION ‘Scriptures’

Pause, break or hiatus, all just words that might describe the status of Death Metal veterans Benediction over the past years. What’s a fact though is, that the band released with ‘Killing Music’ their so far latest studio album in 2008 and now it’s time for new stuff.

These kind of ‘return-‘ records always feed hope for a next musical blast but at the same time lead to thoughts of expectations that might be too high. Now, fortunately the first of the two options is the one being valid for Benediction’s mighty return after a dozen of years.

Benediction return with an album, being a blast. ‘Scriptures’ is the title of the newest sonic wrecking ball that hits us mid-October. Listening to the album gives an idea of the band recharging over the last years, a time that created a big appetite for a new and brutal Death Metal release. And since fans hunger for a new album also, the time is right to launch this deadly riff attack.

Next to the fact of Benediction releasing a new longplayer, the return of Benediction’s iconic frontman Dave Ingram created excitement amongst Death Metal fans worldwide. His guttural vocals have been an identity-giving part for Benediction and having him back in the line-up feels like an extra boost for the UK Metal veterans. With Dan Bate and Giovanni Durst, a ‘new’ rhythm section goes to work with an horsepower approach, providing a deadly grooving base for Peter Raw’s and Darren Brookes’ riff attack.

It also appears that Benediction went back in time, revitalizing the spirit from the early days. Oldschool Death Metal is what ‘Scriptures’ is about, without compromise or a trend-lurking mindset. ‘Scriptures’ is a massive album that fires on all cylinders. Take ‘In Our Hands, The Scars’ as an example. Starting with a powerful drum beat and grooving bass, the songs evolves into a brutal riff attack that’s made for solid headbanging.

There’s also the blistering ‘Stormcrow’ that has already been unveiled as single prior to the album release, an appetizer per excellence and the opener ‘Iteration of I’ has the potential to cause severe neck problems due to intensive headbanging.

Benediction’s newest album has no weak spot on the eleven songs featuring tracklist. If there are good things connected to the 2020 than it’s releases like ‘Scriptures’. Although there is no compensation for missing live shows, records like the new Benediction longplayer can help to ease the pain.