Incantation – Unholy Deification
Release Date: 25th August 2023
Label: Relapse Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Doom Metal.
FFO: Suffocation, Tomb Mold, Autopsy, Blood Incantation, Morbid Angel.
Review By: Rick Farley
A legendary band such as Incantation, honestly should need no introduction, but in the spirit of possibly getting newer metal fans on board, here goes. The resurgence of old school death metal being so popular and highly regarded these days, especially those that are spewing forth, crusty filth from the earths darkest caverns should rightfully and truthfully extend a huge, putrid thank you to Incantation; one of the original east coast death metal bands that helped shape a scene that will always be loved and relevant. Over three plus decades of consistently good sludgy death metal with a nasty taste for doomy riffs and dark atmosphere that’s still capable of showing the new wave of troglodytes how it’s actually done. Unapologetically leading the way, their tried and true formula of crushing, swampy riffs, pinch harmonic squeals, deep gutturals, and unrelenting brutality that uses thrashy speed and slow chugging gloom to pulverize bones into ash, will never be a combination that get stale. More than just death metal royalty, Incantation are as vital as ever. Regarded as originators of the blending of death and doom, sickly packaged together in a blistering, yet suffocating manner, bring back to the table a heaving slab of cave dwelling rage, fit for the masses to consume or be consumed by. Album number thirteen, Unholy Deification, released August 25th, 2023, on Relapse Records.
Fronted by sole founding member guitarist/vocalist John McEntee, drummer Kyle Severn, bassist Chuck Sherwood and guitarist Luke Shively, the band lean a little heavier on the pissed off ferocity of death metal more so than the suffocating doom dirges this time around. Still slow grinding, grisly, and wretched enough to completely emerge you in its vile grime, but with a more focused snarl of angry tremolo picked serrated edged guitars, that harken back to the earlier days of vintage Incantation riff craft. The band could have easily phoned it in, and the fans would have eaten it up, but that’s just not the case here at all. It ticks all the spine snapping boxes and then some. Tracks like Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX smash with groovy chugging riffs and snake like trills. The surging guitars twist and turn between stompy and slower grinds. Mischievously evil melodies float overtop, creating teeth gnashing tension. Eerie atmosphere rears its ghostly head on Altar (Unify In Carnage) V with its primal drum patterns, loose single note riffs that sway in a sinister rhythmic movement, at times spasming towards skin crawling uneasiness. The amount of haunting atmosphere unleashing itself upon your ears is staggering. This track sounds like hell is at your doorstop. The transition into the next track, Exile (Defy The False) II, feels natural, melding itself into a steady tremolo riff with double bass and bendy lead melodies overtop. A straightforward bruising track with a rapid pace showing less cobwebs and a little more monster. John’s snarling growls sound especially stressed at times, giving the track real anguish. A vicious beating awaits you, at the hands of Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII. The bassy rumble of singular notes, roaring underneath the hard charging riffs and pounding drums, hit like hammers. This track is pure aggression pointed directly at your skull.
The legend of Onward to Golgotha and Mortal Throne of Nazarene are in no real danger of being dethroned by Unholy Deification, however, to have an Incantation album this fucking good in 2023 is nothing short of incredible. It brings the raw production back enough to satisfy the oldheads but sounds modern enough to not be a jumbled mess. Unholy Deification is a colossal vortex of entrail spilling riffs, blistering leads, crushing heaviness and satisfyingly familiar death metal with a penchant for dragging you through the tarry mud. If you haven’t already, immerse yourself in this masterclass of real old school death metal. 
(4.5 / 5)
