INCANTATION „Decimate Christendom”

Death Metal
48.38 (12 songs)
Cool songs: Decimate Christendom, Horns of Eradication, No Paradise Awaits
www.incantation.com

There was a period, back in the early nineties when Incantation ruled. Around the time of their classic ‘Onward to Golgotha’, I dubbed them the heaviest band on the planet. Quite frankly, at the time, I’d never heard anything quite like it. Subsequent releases were just as gut wrenching in their heaviosity, yet for some reason, the impact Incantation once had was deadened. The constant exposure to something that was once ground breaking had become the norm. Less dangerous if you like. As a result, only the die-hard death metal fan found solace in their music. Not surprisingly, ‘Decimate Christendom’ suffers from the same fate.

There is no doubt Incantation is a death metal institution. Their standing in the scene cannot be questioned. But things have changed. As far as pushing the boundaries of DM in the new millennium, well that exercise has been passed on to acts like Vehemence and Necrophagist (among others). Incantation on the other hand, could care less about invention or progression in DM, instead relying on their own brand and style to get them through. For fans of the band, there can really be no complaints – Incantation give you exactly what you would expect. ‘Decimate…’ is pretty much just like every other Incantation record of the past decade – fast, furious dry production death metal with smatterings of slower doom style elements. It’s all extremely well delivered and executed with technical precision. But that’s it! And therein lies the problem.

Incantation is no more than a solid DM act in 2004. Their style is so predictable now that their impact is severely lessened. The once dangerous act has now become a shadow of it’s former self. For all the flaying and sonic blasting that ‘Decimate…’ captures, it just fails to leave any lasting impression. To this writer, ‘Decimate..’reaches its end point without any fanfare – it rolls along without distinguishable sections, any highs, lows or threatening climaxes. It just exists as a harmless background wall of noise.

Having delivered what their fans expect, I suppose Incantation will be pretty chuffed with ‘Decimate..’ Clearly it meets their no compromise, take no prisoners philosophy. Furthermore, the fact that this album is also their first since the departure of former vocalist Mike Saez makes this album something of a rebirth for the band. It is something the band would be keen to seize upon as proof of their willingness to continue in the face of adversity. Knowing this, it must be stated that John McEntee makes a worthy replacement, although I’m sure some others would disagree.

Fifteen years of existence as a band cannot be taken lightly. Fifteen years playing brutal death metal is even more impressive – the boys obviously love what they do. No doubt, Incantation still has a tremendously loyal core fan base – and for the most part, I suppose ‘Decimate..’ meets their expectations. For me, I’m a little jaded with it. It’s not a bad album per se; it’s just that it doesn’t move me like previous Incantation albums. There’s no danger anymore. Only true brutal DM fans need apply for this. Otherwise, it’s a case of same shit, different day as far as I’m concerned.

note: 7.3/10

Tracklist

01. Decimate Christendom
02. Dying Divinity
03. Oath Of Armageddon
04. Blaspheme The Sacraments
05. Merciless Tyranny
06. Horns Of Eradication
07. Unholy Enpowerment Of Righteous Deprivation
08. Thorns Of Everlasting Persecution
09. No Paradise Awaits
10. Eternal Darkness Under Conquered Skies
11. Feeble Existence
12. Exiling Righteousness [Bonus Track]