It's common to know the names of the great bands of a specific Metal genre due their relevant set of albums and contributions. But what seems sometimes is that the greater part of Metal fans thinks only about few names that are commercially successful, forgetting that 99% of the bands never are recognized as they deserve. In Death Metal, names as DEATH, POSSESSED, BOLT THROWER, UNLEASHED, DISMEMBER, ENTOMBED, CANNIBAL CORPSE are famous for their contributions for the growth and evolution of the genre, but many others are important as well, but rarely are mentioned as they deserve. One of these remarkable 'infamous' names is from the New York Death Metal Machine IMMOLATION. And after five years since "Atonement", they come to one more Death Metal assault called "Acts of God".

No further words are needed to write that isn't: they're on the road since 1986 (when it was founded under the name RIGOR MORTIS, changed back in 1988). They're pioneers and creators of a personal form of playing traditional Death Metal that is filled with dissonant harmonic features on their guitar riffs in a duel between the two guitarists, and a complex technical set of arrangements on the rhythm basis created by bass guitar and drums. A formula created by them, copied by many, and that isn't credited to them. This is what is delivered by "Acts of God": a massive musical warhead on the ears of the listeners, sometimes playing as fast as the limits of traditional Death Metal allows, in other moments using slow paced tempos in a nasty and brutal set of ambiences. And some melodic care can be heard clearly in many moments (as in the guitars arrangements presented on "Noose of Thrones"). These words mean: even keeping the band's personality untouched, a fresh blown of musical creativity permeates the album. So the fans will find many surprises on the album, but in a way that their long-time followers won't have problems to deal with.

The quartet entered Millbrook Studios (where acts as BAD COMPANY, BLUE OYSTER CULT, GOLDEN EARRING and others recorded some of their work) with Paul Orofino once more (they are partners since 1999, the days of "Failures for Gods") helping on the recording, and Zack Ohren took care of the mixing and mastering (another old ally that works with the quartet, since "Majesty and Decay", released in 2010). All their efforts were done to make the sonority of "Acts of God" full of impact and weight, in a form that fits on the band's music. But of course it's sounding clean and defined to make the experience of hearing to their songs easy and pleasurable. And as guest, there is Dan Lilker (yes, the same guy known from his works with ANTHRAX, S.O.D., NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH, THE RAVENOUS, HOLY MOSES and many others) making the additional vocals on "Let the Darkness In". And by the way: the cover (a fine piece of darkened and disturbing art) is another creation of Eliran Kantor.

As an offering after a 5 years absence, "Acts of God" comes with 15 songs (ok, two of them are instrumental ones), all of them precious Death Metal gems. After the right ambience created by "Abandoned" (a tender set of clean chords that's is torn apart by disturbing instrumental arrangements) comes the Death Metal battering ram called "An Act of God", a song filled with the classic elements that the band uses since its beginning, with very good rhythmic contrasts created by bass guitar and drums. "The Age of No Light" is filled with some melodic arrangements in the middle of a massive slaughter created by the insane guitar riffs and nasty solos. And "Noose of Thorns" follows the same tendency, just using a set of deeper and disturbing melodies in many parts. And even some Groove can be found on the album on some parts of "Shed the Light" (where the slow tempos allows the guttural singing to be expressive in a way that rare to hear).

The immeasurable brutality of "Blooded" shows again contrasts between fast and slow tempos, where the guitars reign supreme with an amazing work on riffs and leads. And "Overtures of the Wicked" comes with a classic fast approach in the beginning, a drilling screw into the ears due its massive guitars, but some climatic slow bits appears (and what a great drumming and bass playing is presented here)."Immoral Stain" is built upon an instrumental creative onslaught, with charming bitter parts, overloading the VU meters, and another great work of the vocals is heard. And the slow appeal of some parts of "Incineration Procession" is something that can cause the melting of the ears of the listeners due the great guitar parts.

The intense and heavy energy that flows from "Broken Prey" is due the technical approach used (that isn't overloaded, what means that anyone can assimilate the song). And contrast to such track, one with a slower focus: "Derelict of Spirit" (another one that isn't presenting a technical side so massive that couldn't be understood, but there are some incredible musical details on it). Abrasive and tradition is what the band presents on "When Halos Burn", a song filled with volcanic tempos and rhythms. And another set of bitter melodies can be heard during the slow passage of "Let the Darkness In", a song based upon a very good work of the vocals.

"And the Flames Wept" is another instrumental song with contrasts of tender ambiences pierced by nasty guitar arrangements, opening ways for the Death Metal bulldozer called "Apostle", a final chapter for the album, using all the classic elements that are usual for the band, especially on the hooks used on the faster parts. Yes, the NYDM tyrants are back, vicious and aggressive as always. So get your copy of "Act of God" as soon as possible, and enjoy this Death Metal offering given by IMMOLATION (and try to recognize them as the band deserves).