Warthur Jack Owen of Cannibal Corpse and Ralph Santolla of Iced Earth aren't exactly two guys I'd expect to find in the same lineup, but with founder members departing Deicide needed fresh blood and I have to say that their new guitarists more than pass muster. Glen Benton wisely lets the new lads add their personal touch to their performances, which results in a mixture of sick death metal playing and more traditional heavy metal solos which reinvigorates and refreshes the Deicide sound. Thematically, of course, it's business as usual (Glen Benton has beef with Christianity - who'd have guessed?), but the new spin the changed lineup gives to the classic Deicide approach means there's life in the old warhorse yet.

arcane-beautiful So here it is, the album that got me into Deicide, and pretty much death metal as a whole.

The first time I ever really heard this band was on a Metal Hammer (UK metal magazine compilation CD). I heard the first riff of “Homage For Satan.” Slayer came to my mind. I was enjoying it. Then the vocals came in, and I turned it off. At that time I really wasn't a death metal fan, and the vocals I didn't enjoy, but soon that would change.

For some odd reason, my brother decided to buy this album, mainly because the artwork was pretty cool. I decided to bite the bullet and finally give the album a listen.

Having listened to the first album for the first time, I had now had a pretty deep love for this band and had more of a respect for death metal. If you don't like death metal, I really recommend giving his album a listen, because it may change your mind. If the death grunts and blasphemous lyrics aren't your cup of tea, the music, especially on this album may change your mind and at least make you think of this genre in a different light....well at least the way this album did for me.

Musically the band have now progressed in an almost glorious manner. While “Scars Of The Crucifix” was a straight to the walls angry death metal album, this album is more of an experiment. With new guitarists Ralph Santolla (Iced Earth) and Jack Owen (Cannibal Corpse) who have been in the industry for a very long time and because of their experience and incredible talent, yea something different would be expected from this album. Apparently while writing this album, Jack & Ralph had a lot of fun with the arrangements and constantly asked permission from the rest of the band to mess with the arrangements, and Glen & Steve agreed, and in fact, the band now admit that this is probably the best album they've ever made...and it is.

The album opener, the title track is one of the best openers Deicide have ever done. From amazing phrasing in the verses and chorus' the song really blows up in the instrumental section. I mean it, the instrumental section could be taken from a piece of classical music

“Death To Jesus” is another classic Deicide tune, with some blasphemous lyrics and some amazing riffs. The song also has a rather jaunty feel to it in the verses, which a lot of the songs on the album seem to have.

I did mention that “Homage To Satan” was my first Deicide track, so I will go into detail about that. Yea, this is definitely one of the best compositions these guys have made. From a riff that has a similar vein to Slayer's Angel Of Death, moving into a beautiful instrumental section with some absolutely stunning guitar solo from Ralph Santolla (which I would say is one of my personal favourite guitar solos ever made).

One of the album's catchiest songs has to be “Not Of This Earth.” With some mental vocals from Glen, singing along with this song becomes very fun with the catchy tag line.

The album closer “The Lord's Sedition” being one of their longest compositions. An epic start to the album with some brilliant instrumental work, when the vocals come in, the song really jumps into action. A brilliant ending to the album.

In conclusion, this in my opinion is one of the best death metal albums ever made. If you don't like death metal, give this a listen it might change your opinion. If you are a death metal fan you should own this album and if you don't, then buy it now. This is one of the reasons I will always defend death metal as a genre that holds a lot of talent, power and art.

9.5/10