On September 14^th 2018, via Century Media, Florida's death metal legends DEICIDE released their 12^th studio album Overtures of Blasphemy. One might think that as you age, you become more weak. While the aging musician will call this "maturing", there is none of that here. 30 years of satanic non stop brutal death metal from the namesake DEICIDE. Love him or hate him, Glen Benton is still one of the the stronger voices of the death metal genre. Even if you are not satanic, the music and the delivery in his voice is always worth a listen. Given it is a little repetitious, as there is more to life than that, but c'mon it's DEICIDE. "Overtures of Blasphemy" isn't any remarkable turning point or pivotal release. It still has it's shining moments. DEICIDE hasn't been the same since the feud between the Hoffmans and Benton, but their replacements aren't terrible.

Loaded with plenty of high speed riffage and blasting of the snare, Benton's vocals still have the ability to come across as if rising and consuming. "Crawled from the Shadows" is a prime example of this. As the verse ends the vocals,deep, low, and vicious, steadily increase in volume through each speaker until the climax of full immersion. The lead guitar part for this track is incredible fast and not a single note is out of place or implemented with slop. The song ends with an organized fury. The intensity and speed are off the charts, but it's all very tight. "Compliments of Christ" has a great walking grove in the guitar line while the drums just destroy like a drill breaking through the earths surface and into its core. There are a few neat rhythmic patterns tucked away between transitions. Setting Benton apart has been his someone melody carrying growl. While not grunting or yelling to the tempo, he has always delivered a style of vocal that travels it's own path and mixes right in like any of the other instruments.

Some of the leads throughout the album, seem a little SLAYER influenced and lacking in unique style, however that doesn't mean that they still are not impressive. In "Excommunicated" they seem a little less premeditated and more added during a quick punch in. A little out of place and not mixed in to well. "Anointed in Blood" has an almost melodic guitar solo intro. A total 180 from the track prior. "Anointed in Blood" is definitely a high point on "Overtures of Blasphemy". It offers no sympathy and shows no sign of weakness. Relentless heaviness that feels as if fueled by a teenage boy full of angst and rage at the world that surrounds him. There is so much energy and strong delivery. The roll patterns of the kick drums reminded me a little of FEAR FACTORY. The complicated off time/on time. You try to tap your fingers to it, and get screwed up every time. The element of unexpected surprise.

"Defying the Sacred" also begins with a more melodic lead guitar. While still being melodic the lead does speed up, again, impressive. The song overall does not head in the direction implied by the first 30 seconds. It immediately makes an abrupt you turn headed down, darker, deeper. Overall, "Overtures of Blasphemy" is what you would expect from DEICIDE. No disappointments at all. A few pleasant surprises here and there. But nothing extravagant. It is impressive to see that they haven't slowed or softened at all. They are just as strong as they always have been. DEICIDE have been delivering the most straight forwardly evil conception of heavy, force full, dark, and power full death metal for years. Again, love them or hate them, they continue to deliver and kill it.