People have always moaned (or even whined!) about Deicide’s route and decisions after the Hoffman brothers’ departure, and that won’t change. Whether some like it or not, the band’s musical texture differs from the suffocating, crushing sound we heard in “Deicide”, “Legion”, and later in “The Stench of Redemption”. We should accept that these albums will remain monumental, standing proud through the passage of time, and Deicide aren’t bound by any formal (or informal) contract with fans to recreate them. But that’s enough about this!
Now, if we rationally approach Deicide’s later era without hating them or uncritically applauding Benton’s antichristian messages, we’ll discern their effort to uphold the legacy they built. Unfortunately, their route after “The Stench of Redemption” wasn’t consistent, showing several ups and downs. Their last album (2018’s “Overtures of Blasphemy”) had some satisfying moments, but its overall dullness prevented it from connecting with listeners in the long term (and this applied to preceding albums as well). Hence, the hesitant stance of many fans upon the announcement of “Banished by Sin” several months ago was rather justified.
Well, Deicide disproved all skeptics (including me) who predicted another mediocre work, and I admit that I was surprised by the outcome. It’s evident that the band had the chance to work on their ideas thoroughly, while the recruitment of Taylor Nordberg on guitars had a strong effect on songwriting and performance. “Banished by Sin” may not offer something unexpected, but it captures the listener easily with its rawness and intensity. Improved songwriting and the unrestricted flow of blasphemy and hate suffice to form a totality that reignites Deicide’s myth.
While listening to the album, I got the impression of a tight work that leaves no space for second thoughts. The band has developed optimal chemistry and know exactly where they’re headed and how to achieve their goal. The “take no prisoners” approach works well. Quirion and Nordberg are largely to “blame” for this, unleashing the technical, crushing Floridian riffage that the band perfected in their early days, splendidly mixed with thrash motifs. The stirring guitar work, Benton’s familiar venomous, deep growls, and Asheim’s storm of blast beats (there’s a real beast behind the kit, giving a precise and rich performance)for man uncompromising, devilish album, full of hostility and aggression.
The continuous and tremendous flow of energy forbids you to press “skip” or “stop”. At last, fans of Tampa’s death metal will find their “paradise” and an opportunity to exercise their necks. The album is easily comprehensible; it may sound familiar, with songs that facilitate a non-stop listening experience from start to finish (sick rhythmic patterns and masterly solos take care of this).The technically demanding opener, “From Unknown Heights You Shall Fall”, indicates that Deicide returned, being aggressive and blasphemous as always. The thrashy and highly addictive “Faithless” (mark this song, please!), “Failures of Your Dying Lord”, and “A Trinity of None” raise adrenaline with sharp riffs, while some decayed melodies (“Sever the Tongue”, “Woke from God”) remind us that Deicide remain rotten to the core.
As you get the last slap in your face from the devastating “The Light Defeated”, you realize that Deicide reached levels they didn’t even approach in previous albums. Of course, the filthy substance of the distant past cannot be repeated (rational people don’t demand this at all…). However, “Banished by Sin” restores the band to a position they deserve (after all, we’re talking about Deicide), and this lineup has the capacity to refresh their legacy. I really hope they’ll seize that opportunity, and that this album will signify a better future, away from discredited releases.
♦ 7,5/10
Alex Nikolaidis
