Deicide, Till Death Do Us Part

In 2006, Glen Benton made some changes to Deicide’s line up by bringing in some new ax-slingers in an attempt to free himself and the band from the stagnation it had been mired in for a few years. The unholy result of that drastic effort was The Stench of Redemption, an absolutely incredible album that really did serve to redeem the Benton-lead crew.

Returning for a second release, that revamped group reconvened at Morrisound Studios in the swamps of Florida to build off of the critical acclaim Stench of Redemption had received after its tumultuous release. While Deicide’s latest release Till Death Do Us Part is another stellar release for the group, it doesn’t quite have the massive and aggressive feel of it’s predecessor.

There’s definitely alot going on within the sacreligious confines of this disc that will have any fan of the band drooling like demons over a wounded angel. Crushing blasts from drummer Asheim are as violent as ever as the rest of the group opt for a more chaotic feel in their individual roles. Guitarists Santolla and Owen tear through evil riff after evil riff and leave no room for error in soul scorching leads while Benton lays down thick, beefy rhythms and delivers his message in that trademark guttural growl.

The Beginning of the End
The opening track is a doomy instrumental that sounds nothing at all like Deicide. It actually threw me for a loop momentarily. It’s a slow building, moody bit of music that only serves to mislead the listener into believing one thing before the group unleashing chaotic fury upon them with the second track on the album. There is a lead just before 2:30 in the track that’s pretty damned sick.

Till Death Do Us Part
The title track starts off with some decent riffing and a few background growls from Benton and Asheim that set the mood nicely. Lots of double bass and Benton’s guttural delivery come in shortly after with a nice mid-tempo, chugging pace. A chaotic feel comes in with the layered vocals. This one is a pretty straightforward slab of death metal that’s punctuated with a few blasts and sick lead (2:90).

Hate of All Hatreds
Now this is what I’m talking about. After the fairly benign “Till Death Do Us Part”, the group opens up with this aggressive, monster of a track. Crushing riffs and maniacal drumming combine with Benton’s quick delivery for this no frills attack that’s tinged with a hint of chaos and handful of hate. The slow down around the two minute mark is a nice change up and see some layered vocals and churning madness in the guitars. Another impressive series of leads come in just before the song reaches three minutes.

In the Eyes of God
“In the Eyes of God” explodes from the speakers with driving riffs and demonic drums the likes of which I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced before. The group quickly settles into a churning groove that will have you head banging till your neck snaps violently from your shoulders. Man, what the album lacks in the melodic elements of Stench, it certainly makes up for in sheer, chaotic rage. The layered screams just after the three minute mark only prove to reinforce this chaotic scheme the band is going after. There’s a bit of melody in the evil lead that follows.

Worthless Misery
Chugging guitars and heavy drums open “Worthless Misery” at a nice pace before the band descends into the chaotic floods of hell once more with churning hooks and crashing rhythms. More layered screams add a great dynamic to the track’s sound as the pace is picked up and Benton unleashes a string of blasphemous growls like the devil vomiting souls. Wow… that was impressive. This very well may be my favorite track on the album.

Severed Ties
Deicide waste no time in getting this next one moving as Asheim makes every attempt to beat his drum kit into bloody submission. There is some sick guitar work about 30 seconds in that leads to Benton’s chugging, guttural delivery. Man, talk about head banging insanity. The groove through this one is infectious. The lead at the three minute mark is slick and leads into more Benton growls.

Not as Long as We Both Shall Live
More insane drum work from Asheim accompanies some churning guitars before the band settles into a groove with Benton’s vocals. This one has a little bit more melody to it than the other tracks. It’s varied tempo shifts make for a nice reprieve of the constant assault of the album’s first half. That is, until 1:23 or so when the group escapes from their mental ward and erupts into driving riffs, manic drumming and a couple of dark and hellish leads. This is one hell of a song.

Angel of Agony
“Angel of Agony” is vintage Deicide right from the start, only modified by Santolla’s and Owen’s influence on the leads. This one would have been comfortably at home on Stench. Guttural growls are layered with Asheim’s screams creating depth to the track. This thing is a aural onslaught if ever there was one.

Horror in the Halls of Stone
This next one starts off slowly with some big riffs and a few growls to set the stage for the malevolence to come. Benton’s vocals are much slower, yet more guttural and evil on this one. Churning guitars and pummeling rhythms dominate the entire length of the song as the vocals are spit out with vehemence.

The End of the Beginning
A full on death metal assault with manic drums and eerie guitars starts off this final track. Machine gun blasts from Asheim continue through the song as if he’s hammering Christ to the cross himself. And it’s over just like that.

~ ~ ~

Deicide have forgone the melodic aspects of the band’s previous release for a more aggressive, chaotic feel. Benton and crew have once again unleashed the hounds of hell upon the earth. Abandoning the anti-religious statements of the past for a good majority of this album, Benton instead focuses his hatred and malice inward toward his personal life. Till Death Do Us Part serves as a cathartic and cleansing release for the Deicide frontman — a vehicle for him to vent frustration and anger. The rest of the bnad do their best to hammer home his message with crushing riffs and Asheim’s maniacal drum work.

Favorite Tracks:
Hate of All Hatreds
Worthless Misery
Severed Ties
Not as Long as We Both Shall Live

Additional Notes:
N/A