ALBUM REVIEW: Deicide - Banished by Sin

I came to the Deicide party a little bit late. The first album passed me by, and I only heard about them in 1991 through a Channel 4 documentary called Banned: Dancing with the Devil (this took a lot of digging around the internet to find what it was). I heard extracts of Sacrificial Suicide and bought the 1989 self-titled debut album the next day. I stayed with them for the next two releases, but then forgot about them. I jumped at the chance to give this a listen. 

Banished by Sin is the 13th studio album by the Floridian death metallers, and the first in six years since 2018’s Overtures of Blasphemy. Founder members Steve Asheim (Drums) and Glenn Benton (Bass/Vocals) are joined by guitarists Kevin Quirion, who played on the last two releases, and newcomer, Taylor Nordberg.

This album does not hang around, the longest track Ritual Defied clocks in at just

over the three-and-a-half-minute mark, and the whole album is a total of 39 minutes. However, none of the album seems rushed, and riffs/sections are allowed to breathe and take shape. The production is modern but is not overly processed or compressed, which is something that Glen Benton said he wanted to steer clear of, looking for instead a live sounding album. All instruments sit well in the mix, and Benton's bass rings out like a bell. It really does have an OSDM feel to it but dragged into 2020’s. 

The opening track From Unknown Heights You Shall Fall really sets the tone of the album. An intro riff that wouldn't be out of place in 80’s Thrash, wailing demonic guitars layered over, and Benton's typical dual vocal unholy growl hailing the start of the song proper. The pre-chorus riff is heavy and hooky, and the timing changes really add to it. Doomed to Die grabs you straight by throat before you get out of the blocks. Reminiscent of Sacrificial Suicide, it shows how Benton's phrasing really draws you into the vocals. The single, Sever the Tongue is quite a tech offering, with timing and tempo changes, and a great guitar line enhancing the melody of Benton growling, "How dare you pray for me? Unwanted!". Fourth track Faithless starts in a much different manner to the previous songs. Picked arpeggios ringing out, almost like a black metal intro, shows the versatility, and the guitar work over is harmonic. Then they hit you with intense tremolo picking. 

I mentioned before the hooks that Benton comes up with in the vocals, and this is really showcased in Bury the Cross... With Your Christ chorus, I am I...A Curse of Death and The Light Defeated, the latter probably being my favourite track. Religion is the answer, if the question is disease, Benton snarls as the guitars chug and bass and drums work together to give that solid foundation that is consistent throughout. There are some great little touches on this, a little guitar part in the previously mentioned song, just before the main solo is sublime, as is the use of dual guitar on selected parts of solos, that really elevates these sections. Regarding the guitar work, it is never showy. It is shreddy in places and technical, obviously, but there are never parts that have been shoehorned in to say, 'look how good I am', it is played with feeling and really fits. 

In summary, this is a great record from start to finish. I have listened to it back-to-back numerous times and still want to go back for more.

Banished by Sin is released on 26th April on Reigning Phoenix Music

All photos by Gene Smirnov

Review by Rich 'Tricky' Hudson