Rating: 8/10

Deicide’s latest release is a razor-sharp homage to old-school death metal, proving these veterans still know how to unleash relentless fury with zero compromises.

Deicide is back, and they’ve cranked up the evil for their latest release. The production is sharp and clear, which, depending on where you stand, might feel like a well-polished blade or a bit too clean for comfort. Either way, it’s a significant leap forward from some of their recent offerings and they’ve leaned into what they do best: pure, unfiltered death metal. No frills, no bullshit—just a steady stream of brutal riffage and hellfire.

Glen Benton hasn’t lost his edge. His guttural roars are just as relentless as ever, and they bring the dark, anti-religious lyrical themes we’ve come to expect from Deicide. While the satanic lyrics might not resonate on a deep, emotional level (because let’s face it, we’ve been through this particular underworld before), they’re still delivered with a conviction that only Benton can manage. You can almost feel the heat rising from his vocal cords.

On the instrumental side, the band went full throttle. The guitars and drums carry that vintage thrash-inspired sound, with a precision that shows their experience. Steve Asheim on drums is as punishing as ever, laying down unashamed blast beats and rolls throughout. Taylor Nordberg’s guitar work, paired with Kevin Quirion, keeps the riffs tight and aggressive. Sure, the tone could veer more towards that raw, deathier edge, but there’s enough bite here to keep some of us diehards happy.

The standout track Doomed to Die grabs you with its infectious groove, reminding you why Deicide still holds their ground in this ever-evolving genre. It’s catchy without losing its ferocity—one of those tracks you’ll find yourself replaying when you need a good headbang session. And even though the emotional weight might be missing (I mean, how deeply can you connect with lyrics that sound like someone got ghosted by the Big Guy upstairs?), the consistency in their relentless assault keeps you engaged.

Is this album going to blow the doors off the genre? Probably not. But what it does do is prove that Deicide knows exactly who they are and they aren’t interested in changing for anyone. For a band with such deep roots in death metal, delivering a rock-solid album that feels like a throwback to their best days is more than enough to keep hell hot.

Essential Metal Merch

Banished By Sin – Album

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