Review INCANTATION ‘Unholy Deification’

There is a term “ble ve” in Småland, Sweden and what it basically means is to stay true to your ideas and never give up. Although hailing from the US, the term could perfectly work for Incantation. The death metal veterans are following their musical vision since 1989 and nothing could bring them off the chosen path.

One reason for this consistency is the only remaining founding member John McEntee who is the driving force of Incantation. This doesn’t mean though, that the band is a one-man-show. In contrary. Incantation is a team effort, and it was bassist Chuck Sherwood who developed the lyrical concept. Not that ‘Unholy Deification’ is one of the usual concept albums. It is more that the songs follow an overarching theme. It’s about destroying all existing religions, taking the best parts of each religion and being the puzzle pieces for a new overarching religion which equally the downfall of mankind.

‘Unholy Deification’ features ten songs, representing mighty death metal that stick to the band’s origins and trademarks. It was never the aim of Incantation to create the high-speed metal blasts. Instead, atmosphere and a certain feeling is what is associated with the four-piece band. ‘Unholy Deification’ is built on this approach, leading to ten massive and aggressive death metal anthems. ‘Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI’’ showcases the approach. The song is no high-speed sound inferno. It starts with a dystopian intro before the song turns into a massive metal track. Although having some faster moments, Incantation built in some breaks which gives this bone-crushing riff assault a certain multilayeredness. ‘Concordat (The Pact) I’’ is another example of heaviness that can be achieved by the change of gears within a track.

‘Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VII’ and Homunculus (Spirt Made Flesh) IX’ mirror the two poles of this album. While the first one is a pulverizing metal song right into the face it is the latter being the grinding death metal anthem, kept in slo-mo.

Last but not least, ‘Cicle (Eye of Ascension) VII’. The sinister vibe of this riff monster is one thing while it is also important to mention, that Incantation invited two guests for this track. Former Revenant frontman Henry Veggian is on board as well as Possessed’s Jeff Becerra adding some vocals parts to this finale of a thrilling death metal record.

The previous release, ‘Sect of Vile Divinities’ was a good one and with the newest offer, Incantation adds an extra portion of spices to this well-prepared death metal feast.