Artist: Incantation
Label: Necropolis Records
Release Date: 7/2/02
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Title: Blasphemy Artist: Incantation Label: Necropolis Records Release Date: 7/2/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
I must admit I've never been the hugest Incantation fan. I've always considered them a solid, middle tier death metal band that never truly excited me, but also never really disappointed me either. The Infernal Storm was a good record, but I'd be lying to you if I said I listened to it more than a few times since I reviewed it. Because of this I guess I'm not as disappointed in Blasphemy as the average Incantation fan will be, as I think the band completely missed the mark on this one.
"I think the band completely missed the mark on this one." Their latest album progresses on the slower, chunkier theme that has evolved on their last couple of releases, but this is by far the least successful. Instead of just slowing down, this album simply drags; in fact it's rather tedious. Each song utilizes only one or two unremarkable riffs that are reapeated ad nausem, and the few times that they do pick up the pace and things start getting interesting, they usually end up leaving you hanging.
Even the drumming, which is usually a point of interest on an Incantation release, is a little lackluster here, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that there just isn't that much to work with. I assume that the tempo was further slowed down in order to add thickness and weight, but I believe this was unsuccessful. Although there is nothing wrong with the guitar sound itself; the riffs don't seem to have enough meat in them to feed the heft they are striving for.
"One word review: Disappointing." I find it a little depressing that a band that is usually so dependable misses the mark, and I wonder if the rest of the metal world is leaving them behind a little bit. As it is, I can't really recommend this one when there's so much other shit that I think is more deserving of your time. One word review: Disappointing.
Death's Review:
Unlike some in the modern scene, I still like death metal the way it used to be played, with crushing brutality and evil intent as the endgame. I'm therefore psyched that U.S. underground scene veterans Incantation are back to remind us all of why this music mattered so much in the first place. Trading in their affiliation with Relapse Records for a new partner in crime in Necropolis Records, Incantation's new album Blasphemy marks the return to the recorded fold of former drummer Kyle Severn, in itself a significant development (although Dave Culross, ex-Malevolent Creation and ex-Suffocation, who appeared on the last album, The Infernal Storm, was certainly no slouch himself) for a band whose many lineup changes have chipped away at some of the core identity of guitarist/founder John McEntee's endeavor through the years.
"Lineup issues aside, Blasphemy showcases a seemingly invigorated Incantation."
Lineup issues aside, Blasphemy showcases a seemingly invigorated Incantation, who seem to have rediscovered a sense of place and purpose in the modern death metal scene: evil, old-school feelings backed by dominating, heavy guitar riffs, and the most crushing of slow parts surrounded by brutal aggression and speed with nary a trace of keyboards, choral parts, strings or any of the other "trappings" popularized in recent years by the European bands that followed in Incantation's initial wake . Beginning with a cool, old-school evil album cover (by ex-Incantation drummer Paul Ledney) that reminds me of something like Slayer's classic Hell Awaits cover, through to the sickeningly slow, evil and brilliantly despondent pace of tracks like the killer "A Once Holy Throne," and of course to the anthemic opening title track "Blashpemy," Incantation fans who think that the band may be past its prime or have nothing left to offer should think again--you will not be disappointed with this release. Mike Saez's vocals are emotional and raw, McEntee's riffs are filled with downtuned grind and killer blasphemous accents and sounds. My only complaint is with the production--sure, death metal is best experienced at high volumes, but I definitely should not have to turn this thing up twice as loud as the other albums in my changer to get rid of the "pillow over the speakers" effect. Not enough highs, too much mid, not enough lows. But fuck it, who cares, right? This is death metal, and for the right album, I can look past it. This is the right album. Incantation have delivered a record worth the attention of the death metal faithful.
"I definitely should not have to turn this thing up twice as loud as the other albums in my changer to get rid of the 'pillow over the speakers' effect."
Hel's Review:
There is a convention in the metal world that I utterly and completely disagree with. This is the concept of poor production as art. Invariably, I react poorly to being forced to do things, this is a personality flaw of mine, I do not deny it. However, it exists nonetheless, and is omnipresent in all aspects of my life. I react poorly when told what to do, when given advice on any number of topics, from what to wear to how to decorate my apartment, and even how loud I need to listen to a particular record in order to hear all the elements clearly. This pisses me off, and is a direct result of the concept I mentioned above. Poor production is not art, it is an ill conceived excuse at best, and at worst is a way to control the volume at which the record is listened to.
"If your circumstances limit the listening volume, you will find this record to be a haze of low-end distortion." As you have undoubtedly surmised by now, Blasphemy is poorly produced. For each notch of volume, an entire layer of instrumentation is uncovered. So, if you are able to turn it up as far as your stereo can handle without sacrificing your speakers, you will discover a richly layered death metal masterpiece. If your circumstances limit the listening volume, you will find this record to be an unlistenable haze of low-end distortion. Unfortunately, while the producer of the record may feel this is your choice, I recognize that it may not be. Woe to those whose stereos do not go to 11.
"I have reasons to wade my way through the muck to find the value buried within." When listened to at optimal volume, Blasphemy will fulfill your need for anti-christian anathema, for unintelligible vocals, and also for maniacally fast double bass combined with equally fast distorted guitar riffing. All in all, the kind of tour de force of death metal mayhem you have come to expect from Incantation. Personally, I have developed some loyalty to this band over the years. They played a part in the formulation of my death metal obsession, so I have reasons to wade my way through the muck to find the value buried within. On that level, I adore this record, as I adore this band. This is my "fan" reaction, however, and I believe that it is important, for the sake of objectivity, to disclose this information.
So, the downsides: "Outro" is a complete waste of time, and I have already belabored my point in regard to the production more than enough. Fans of Incantation should certainly add this to complete their collections, but frankly folks, disentangling myself from my loyalty and speaking completely objectively, there are so many superior death metal releases out at this point in time, unless you have some sentimentality for this band, your money is probably better spent elsewhere. In the end, my scoring system always skews in the direction of my fandom, and this is no exception.
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