Review DEICIDE ‘Banished By Sin’

The early days of Deicide were somewhat controversial. The band, one of the pioneers of US death metal, not only released albums that were filled with the blistering heat of hellfire. The Petrine Cross on the forehead of frontman Glen Benton, for example, caused controversy and contributed to the band’s prominence beyond the metal underground. The band always had a provocative factor on their side, which wasn’t really necessary, because albums like ‘Legion’ can convince with musical vehemence.

With ‘Banished By Sin’, Deicide have now completed the work on their 13th studio album, which is currently on its way to the record stores. The question is what to expect from the 12 songs that made it onto this longplayer.

On the one hand, the album still has that infernal grin that is one of the band’s trademarks. Blasts like the raging ‘Woke From God’ are well done Death Metal tracks and what adds to the 666 expression for sure are Benton’s growls. Together with filigree guitar solos, the song underlines Deicide’s strength.

At the same time you get the feeling that the anarchic spirit of the early days is hiding behind a very well done production.

Still, it should be noted that songs like the slamming ‘Failures of Your Dying God’ are blasphemous anthems, and it is the galloping beat that gives the song its raw power. It’s also the frantic pace of the title track that continues to demonstrate to younger bands what Florida Death Metal is all about.

‘Banished By Sin'”‘ is certainly not as shocking as anything Deicide and Benton released in the early years. The world has moved on and so has the Florida four-piece. All in all, after a six year hiatus, Deicide have produced a new album that shows why they are one of the greats of the genre.