Everyone knows that Glen Benton and his merry band of hell raising mischief-makers have been writing songs about hating Jesus and killing Christians for a long time, but after a series of mediocre and otherwise seemingly forgettable releases on Roadrunner Records there is one question that seemed to haunt this band ”“ does anyone care? With the reinvigorated songwriting and supercharged rhythms on The Stench of Redemption, DEICIDE is going to make you care.
Although their 2004 release Scars of the Crucifix marked a return to form of sorts on Earache Records, it took a line up change and rebuilding of this band’s sound from the ground up to create the aural assault in The Stench of Redemption. Gone are the production hiccups that appeared on Scars”¦, and Brothers Brian and Eric Hoffman bowed out to be replaced by ex-CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Jack Owen and guitarist Ralph Santolla of ICED EARTH. The result is excellent production with a plethora of roars, riffs and blasts that explode with thrash-infused death metal goodness. The band freely admits that this is the fastest material they have written, and their determination to write what is potentially the best DEICIDE release to date shines through. Tracks such as “The Lord’s Sedition” demonstrate that Glen picked up a few pointers on atmosphere and mood during his time working with VITAL REMAINS, though nothing on this album is as pretentious as the songwriting that appeared in Dechristianize." Ralph and Jack most notably showcase their talents with solos on “Desecration,” “Crucified for the Innocence,” and “Death to Jesus.” Select versions of the album also include an interesting cover of DEEP PURPLE’s “Black Night,” which has more blasting drums than Deep Purple could ever have imagined.
Some may say this album only serves up the best parts of those songs in DEICIDE’s early career, but anyone with an ear for reinvention will recognize this release as representing the expression only hinted at in 1992. Let the earth quake, skies fall, and gods tremble with The Stench of Redemption. (Earache Records)
