Aaaaaarrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!! What a start to this Death Metal album by the Swiss band DEFACED. After a hiatus of 10 years they have returned with "Icon", their third studio album, and they have done that with a vengeance. Over 42 minutes of very convincing Death Metal with very fast rhythms, even faster drums and a rock solid foundation. Let's go back a bit; DEFACED was formed in Bern in Switzerland in 2006 as TRIGGER TONES, before becoming DEFACED in 2012. In that same year they released their debut album "On The Frontline", followed some three years later by "Forging The Sanctuary". I have not had any opportunity to listen to those two, so "Icon" is my first experience with the band.

And I really like what I hear, as this is not the kind of straight forward Death Metal that just goes without nuances. Nope, if anything DEFACED loves using different influences in their music. You only have to listen to "Perception" to hear that the band is able to incorporate Heavy Metal riffs as an addition to their Death Metal vibes. Such examples are all over "Icon", making this a very diverse album. What also helps is the fact that drummer Massimiliano Malvassora is even more active and at the forefront of the sound as ANIMAL is with The Muppets, or if you wish, Brann Dailor is with MASTODON. And it works, as he is able to demonstrate not only how fast he is, but also how good he is feeling the music, how much he is aware of what kind of atmosphere any passage needs or requires.

That's not to say that he dominates the sound. He doesn't, but he does make it easy for the rest of the band to do what they need, to add as much as they can without having to question whether it will fit. It has been a while since I heard a Death Metal album that made me smile, that made me put it on repeat on my laptop, that I just needed time and time again on my headphones, but I have to confess that is exactly happened with "Icon". DEFACED have outshone themselves with this album, and I for one are very glad with the result, especially as the production of "Icon" is absolute faultless. I can hear everything that is being played, and nowhere is that interfering with the heaviness or intensity of the music. Wow. Yes, DEFACED have certainly wowed me with "Icon".