Artist: Incantation
Label: Olympic Recordings
Release Date: 10/19/04
|
|
Title: Decimate Christendom Artist: Incantation Label: Olympic Recordings Release Date: 10/19/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
2 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
| |||
Abyss's Review:
These guys just keep plugging away don't they, and more power to them, I say. This band has been on the scene for a long time, and you have to respect a band that has that kind of dedication. They seem destined to remain mired in death metal mediocrity, however, although they seem to be doing it on their own terms.
"One word review: Zzzzz." If the title hasn't tipped you off, these guys still aren't that happy with Jesus, so I assume these aren't the people I see interviewed on the TV that voted for Bush because of his strong faith. But lyrical content aside, Incantation's latest album brings back a little of their speedy past in the wake of their last plodfest, Blasphemy. This might be a welcome 'return to form' for some of the band's diehard fanbase, but I find myself still bored by this band.
If one wants to make the effort, there is some cool stuff on this record, but there is just as much mediocrity. For every interesting riff or rhythm there are two uninspired tremolo-picked passages that it seems we've heard a million times before (I'm not using hyperbole, by the way, I've been counting and this just happened to be the millionth time. Freaky). If there's one thing about good metal you should always adhere to, it's this: You should never have to go searching for things you like about a record. Metal should never be that subtle. That doesn't mean that everything about a record should reveal itself immediately, but the first listen should pique your interest. And Incantation simply doesn't do that.
For those who like their death metal blasphemous and straightforward, this record may be just what you're looking for, but I think most in the metal scene will consider it generic. One word review: Zzzzz.
Death's Review:
"Unfortunately, not much new ground is tread." Brutal death metal returns in the form of another album from Incantation. Once again, Incantation bludgeon the listener with a well-produced and solid slab of uncompromising death metal slathered in anti-Christian lyrics. Those of you who are interested in such things know well who you are, and this album will not disappoint. Incantation main man John McEntee and drummer Kyle Severn lead the way toward another chapter in Incantation's legendary death metal legacy. Unfortunately, not much new ground is tread. The classic Incantation sound is on display: the riffs sound good and the album is speedier than the last album yet there are still enough mid-tempo parts to bang your head to. Of course, you've heard this all before. But what else do you expect when you buy a new Incantation record or, for that matter, something released under the banner of Olympic Recordings? You expect to hear well executed, well-conceived, well-produced brutal death metal, and that's exactly what you get with Decimate Christiandom, nothing less, nothing more.
Hel's Review:
Incantation is a band that I encountered a number of times back in the days when I lived on the East Coast. It seemed they were often found playing at one club or another, and I learned they could always be counted on to deliver a crushing set. I have a great fondness for the band, which developed in large part as a result of these experiences. Their recordings, however, have not always been as consistently astonishing, primarily due to fluctuating production values.
"Decimate Christendom is essentially what you would expect the new Incantation album would sound like." In general, I try very hard to listen to a record on a couple of different systems before making comments about the production, but in this case, I did not have the opportunity to do so and was only able to hear it on my car stereo. Still, I feel confident that in this case it would sound muddy regardless of the equipment it is played on. I am of the opinion that music that is fast and technical is best enjoyed with clear production. This is undoubtedly an album that would benefit from such production, and my enjoyment is dampened by the lack of it.
Still, even with the disappointing production, this is just the kind of album I'm a sucker for. Decimate Christendom is essentially what you would expect the new Incantation album would sound like. If you are hoping for something groundbreaking and new from the band, you're barking up the wrong tree. However, if you've enjoyed their previous efforts, as I have, then you will most likely find that you enjoy this one as well. All I need now is for Incantation to make a West Coast swing on their tour...
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.