Benediction return with first new album in 12 years
Benediction are a death metal band from Birmingham who formed in 1989. Never one to stray too far from what they do best, they are one of the underground legends of the death metal scene. However, I will admit that I have not listened to Benediction as much in recent years, distracted by vocalist Dave Hunt‘s other band Anaal Nathraakh – who released their new album Endarkenment recently. But after hearing the recent single releases I have definitely been enthusiastic for Scriptures to emerge.
So what have we got? Old school death metal at its finest is what. The return of 90s vocalist Dave Ingram really adds to the traditional feel. The mid tempo tremolo picking on The Crooked Man is just one example of a number of top quality riffs on this album. The changing tempo of the drums flicks the songs back and forth in only the way orthodox death metal can.
Speaking of the drumming, the stick work from new drummer Gio Durst is stellar. Effortlessly tight, it is the catalyst for surging the tracks forward. This is the first new album in a while where I have been totally blown away by the drumming. If you want to rip peoples faces off in a circle pit, then this album might just be your bible.
The solo in Rabid Carnality reminds me of the very best of 90s death metal. Somehow feeling out of time and place within the track, but situated perfectly. I have no idea how death metal does this, but therein lies its beauty. The following track In Our Hands, The Scars is extraordinarily groovy and impossible not to bang your to. Go on try it, you will fail.
Pummelling its way to the finale, concluding track We Are Legion builds again on some fantastic stick work. Changing midway through to more complex guitar chops, and terminating with a bone crushing outro. A fitting conclusion.
Scriptures is 46 minutes and 56 seconds of phenomenal traditional death metal. If you don’t listen to you will regret it, and the demon gods of the night might swoop in and take your soul. Don’t chance it. I really cannot at the moment pick fault with this album. It is a sound that does not age, and rings just as glorious as ever here. Go listen now, the Scriptures demand it!
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