INCANTATION is one of those historical bands that has perhaps best survived the passage of years, that has always been able to adapt to the times without ever distorting its sound. The band has made very few mistakes in their career and “Unholy Deification” is certainly not one of them, it is another sick and gorgeous record. Three years have passed since the beautiful “Sect Of Vile Divinities”, and the level is still very high. The only difference is that guitarist Sonny Lombardozzi is no longer in the line-up, he was replaced permanently by young Luke Shively, who particularely in his solos is creating a very sulphurous atmosphere, with great sinister melodies. Besides this, the chaotic usual sound of the band remained intact and unique. In the rest of this review, I will not speak further about the music of this record, which I repeat, is beautiful. There are several other reviews here on Voices From The Darkside that will surely do it better. I would like to focus on another aspect. There is something strange in the titles of the songs of this album, I cannot tell whether it was a mistake, a joke, a riddle or something else, but I don’t think it is any of these. At the end of each track there is a Roman numeral, but in the tracklist these numbers are not in order, they are random. It occurs to me that this might be a concept album, or this choice is a kind of protest against the hegemony of playlists and the fact that we often, especially digitally, no longer listen to albums in full or in shuffle mode. It almost seems that McEntee wants to make the listener think about how the artist’s work is underestimated and how digital platforms often harm the art because of the listener’s supposed convenience. That’s all, enjoy this beautiful work of the mighty INCANTATION and reflect on your role as a listener! For more: www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, www.facebook.com/relapserecords

“Never judge a book by its cover”, this wellknown statement never really fitted US Death Metal masters INCANTATION. Ever since their very first official demo back in 1990, the band delivered ultra brutal Death Metal and never cared for modern influences, the Black Metal trend or whatever else. They not changed record labels and not even their wellknown classic logo, while other bands went for a “better readable” or “modernized” version, in order to reach a bigger audience along the way. INCANTATION has always been the band of John McEntee and even though INCANTATION’s line-up went through various incarnations, his musical direction and overall vision of the band still stayed the same. And their old school fans really appreciated that. So, here we are now, 30+ years later, with full length number thirteen, “Unholy Deification”, which once again will easily please everyone, who ever enjoyed one of the band’s previous releases. The album kicks off furiously right away with the pretty fast ‘Offerings (The Swarm) IV’, which already perfectly sums up all of INCANTAION’s wellknown trademarks. Deep guttural vocals, a menacing overall atmosphere, blasting intensity and razorsharp riffing, spiced-up with midtempo to slow sections here and there. This song even offers a catchy melody underneath the lead section, which is pretty unusual for INCANTATION, but it fits the song surprisingly well. Next up is ‘Concordat (The Pact) I’, which was already released as a promo video prior to the album’s release. Musically the song is pretty much in the same vein as the album opener, but with more exciting drum parts and some very cool guitar work. ‘Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII’ is a straight ahead, overall very fast track with driving drums and an extremely cool headbanging section around the two minutes mark. John McEntee’s vocals sound absolutely killer on this one! The experience he gained as a frontman ever since he also took over the microphone way back in 2004 definitely has paid off by now. In my opinion he wasn’t completely convincing in this part in the beginning and struggled a bit to fill the big shoes of his predecessors, but touring and recording obviously has helped him a lot and nowadays he sounds just perfect. ‘Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII’ is definitely one of my personal favorites on the album. ‘Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX’ slows things down quite a bit and showcases INCANTATION’s wellknown love for the doomy side of Death Metal. The opening section of ‘Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X’ recalls classic MORBID ANGEL quite a bit, but quickly turns into another crushing INCANTATION track. It’s mostly pretty fast, very brutal and, just like the album opener, also spiced with a quite catchy guitar melody. But don’t worry, when I say catchy, I definitely don’t mean radio friendly commercial crap. It’s just that the lead guitar sticks in your head right away. ‘Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI’ has a short, horror movie like, piano opening and quickly changes into another fast, straight ahead INCANTATION crusher, while the vocals in the middle section have an almost chanting like character. Longtime drummer Kyle Severn pushes the song forward with hard hitting beats and the sharp riffing even supports that. The slow, very CELTIC FROST – ish opening riff of ‘Convulse (Words Of Power) III’ recalls classic OBITUARY and leads into a very heavy, mostly mid-tempo track with some short fast outbursts. It will most certainly create a mass of banging heads during live shows. ‘Altar (Unify In Carnage) V’ is more on the doomy side of things again, which has been a part of INCANTATION’s music ever since the very beginning and which the band masters just as perfectly as the faster stuff. This one comes crawling at you like molten lava and the dark and very gloomy atmosphere will definitely make you suffer (meant in a positive way here) for the approximately three minutes that the song lasts. ‘Exile (Defy The False) II’ speeds things up quite a lot again and one more time perfectly combines all INCANTATION trademarks in one song, so besides the fast parts, you’ll also get cool mid-tempo and doomy parts here. The album closer, ‘Circle (Eye Of Ascension) VII’, is as doomy as it can get, which also results in the longest playing time of all the tracks (almost six minutes). Don’t know why, but to me it has an almost similar sinister aura as HELLHAMMER’s ‘Triumph Of Death’, but instead of the tortured vocals of Tom G. Warrior, you’ll hear a guttural John McEntee. In the middle section things get a bit faster and then POSSESSED’s Jeff Beccera and ex – REVENANT vocalist / guitarist Henry Veggian contribute backing vocals to the chorus. Certainly a nice idea, but unfortunately also quite superfluous. It would have been more effective to hear both of them sing individual parts of the song. The artwork for “Unholy Deification” was once again masterfully painted by Eliran Kantor, who not only was responsible for the previous three INCANTATION covers already, he also perfectly re-captures the typical mood of the classic Miran Kim era in his own way. And the sound / production? Well, compared to the band’s last album “Sect Of Vile Divinities”, “Unholy Deification” definitely sounds a lot more organic again, especially when it comes to the more natural sounding drums. A wise decision in my book, because old school Death Metal doesn’t need a modern, run of the mill production, which always lacks feeling and atmosphere. So, if you already enjoyed INCANTATION in the past, this is without a doubt another highly recommended release. Whether it’s better or worse than any of the band’s previous albums, each single one of you has to decide for yourself of course. More about INCANTATION at www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, label contact: www.facebook.com/relapserecords

Death Metal is not for the faint-hearted. Absolutely not for John McEntee and his darkest entity, INCANTATION. After almost 35 years in the devil’s business, INCANTATION is showcasing that the band is still unmatched to conquer all the hype and all who behold. Through their latest record “Unholy Deification”, the band continues the inevitable charm of their signature, which is none other than doomy old school Death Metal. There is no sign of slowing down their expansion. INCANTATION returns to amplifying the savagery of their foundation that was built many decades ago. Ten numbers of the heaviest and most intense music that should please both old and new followers. The opener, ‘Offerings (The Swarm) IV’, begins with a short but effective unholy combination of exploited guitar shreds. The riffs are there – heavy, death-driven, with remarkable chords at every turn. The massive drum pounding and the passing dissonance that flow genuinely into the atmosphere add total richness to this song. When their first single, ‘Concordat (The Pact) I’, plays in the background. Its steady arrangement builds a sort of scenario where the listener can experience delightful madness. Another ecstasy in the dimension of Death and Doom: a mountain of guitar harmonics, glorious heights of memorable guitar riffing, explosive bass strokes, malicious drum assaults and deep vocal growls. All of them creeped for the entire minute. It’s darker and heavier, as always, surpassing their previous work. Unlike the first two offerings, ‘Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII’, is surprisingly fast-paced through gut-wrenching guitar licks and double bass work that beat your skull. Although pummeled with speedy sections that sound evil and heavy, this third song just remains consistent with the enjoyment compared to the previous mood. The roots are always prominent. Straightforward ancient Death is the essence of the spirit of their underground Metal. Then comes the second single, ‘Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX’, drifting around doom-laden chugs. Each second of this song slows things way down, which eventually haunts you every time the psychotic guitar layers take the wheel. The listener may find a fine place to drown in their funeral lament over here. Halfway through their recent work, a formidable and engaging guitar solo echoed in ‘Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X’. Considering the fifth is the shortest track in the album, their ability to reinvent the true dynamism of a masterpiece is unquestionable. A state of classic INCANTATION groovy mixed with a large Doom Metal riff will only cave you in on the depth of this record. The time for side B approaches. ‘Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI’ strikes to keep the aggressor consistently alive. The frantic rhythm and maniacal solos blast right into the hammering drums. A tight yet unfathomably heavy instrumental works very well alongside the impressive morbidity. This formula of fearsomeness, along with those hamornious ingredients, easily makes the songwriting more enjoyable than ever. ‘Convulse (Words Of Power) III’ continues to rampage. This track is less frantic than the previous one. However, if it is done on purpose, INCANTATION once again manifests a triumphant death in terms of delivering an amazing album flow. The visceral groove from the bass lines in the song feeds a refreshing, different angle on the greatness of this particular track. The macabre vision is clearly envisioned throughout the upcoming song, ‘Altar (Unify In Carnage) V’. John McEntee is the true king beyond this slab of horror. His voice is like summoning the spirit of the reaper. Its presence and performance are pivotal to the band. At this point, nothing is deeper than his voice. Listening to his voice upon this altar also feels like walking through the unending churning of the Dark God’s fury. The same but different symphony that makes heads roll lies under the name of ‘Exile (Defy The False) II’. The drum fills are yet again the highlight. It builds more and more waves of sadistic soundscapes that shake the ground in their wake. The riff and drums sound truly precise together, which can only be done through years of experience. The album ends with ‘Circle (Eye Of Ascension) VII’. The overall Doom atmosphere of this song to close the chapter of “Unholy Deification” is flawless. No undemanded shift that only ruins the moment to absorb the energy of the latest INCANTATION. Not an average groove from them. It is something new, yet it remains unchanged under their distinctive territory. The flow is slowly representing a grotesque beauty beyond the realms of Death Metal that they have carried since the late ’80s. That being stated, without a doubt, INCANTATION is still one of the best Death Metal bands on the planet. Production-wise, it is only as great as the hideous sound of the infernal storm. Furthermore, the cover artwork and its aesthetic by the one and only Eliran Kantor fit very well with the hidden mystery and insightful concept of “Unholy Deification.” It is an insanely amazing delivery of Death Metal, both into your ears, eyes and souls. This album not only glorifies the past of INCANTATION but unleashes a new abominable delight while remaining true to their legacy. It’s time to lay down your soul to the new INCANTATION. www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, www.facebook.com/relapserecords

I am not a follower of INCANTATION from the very beginning, I discovered the band when the men around John McEntee were named as main influence or blueprint in more and more interviews and reviews in the late 1990s. Even after 35 years on album no.13 INCANTATION still stick to their own style of Death Metal. When there is INCANTATION written on the cover, there is INCANTATION in it and nothing else. An unholy blend of rotten Death Metal riffs with intermingled Black / Thrash Metal and Grindcore influences, performed in an interplay of Doom and up-tempo parts combined with ultra growling vocals, evoking an abysmal atmosphere. Yet, at the same time, technically executed on a high level. So far the neutral explanation, a mandatory purchase for every fan of the band or Death Metal fan in general. Now a review not only serves to provide an objective description of the music, but also a personal assessment of the reviewer. Even if the playing time might suggest something else, I miss the longer songs. It does not have to be over 16 minutes as with ‘Elysium (Eternity Is Nigh)’ from “Dirges Of Elysium” but “Unholy Deification” would benefit from one or two longer songs. Another point of criticism: compared to the first ten albums I miss a certain kind of freshness. One could also say that INCANTATION are in management mode and have only recorded a new version of the predecessor “Sect Of Vile Divinities”. Even if all the band’s trademarks are available, it all seems somehow compressed to me. A sinister and menacing atmosphere can not unfold, because the next blast beat knocks everything down. That does not necessarily have to be a bad thing, to put it positively, one can also say that INCANTATION get all their trademarks down to the point. Objectively I can agree, personally I like the older albums much more. So at the end of the day it is up to you whether the album makes it into your personal top ten list of the year – or not. www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, www.facebook.com/relapserecords

Since their inception in 1989, INCANTATION has been one of those rare bands that manage to release very constant material. Most of their post year 2000 albums have been similar stylistically, but also including enough differences and nuances to keep one interested. Especially since most of their songs offer memorable parts, riffs and variations to identify them. And that becomes a huge task when the band has graced us with 13 full length albums. So what does “Unholy Deification” bring to the table besides their ’90s rooted Death Metal? It is hard to describe. Their music sounds familiar, so to speak. Since John took the mic back in 2004, his vocals have been the one identifiable aspect in their music. The songwriting has improved, leaving behind basic structuring and implementing little twists and turns that are now an integral part of their style, where the slow pounding parts meet blast beats and even some Thrash beats that were not too common in their early stages. All these changes have been definitely influenced by the excellent musicians that John, the only original member of the band, has procured to keep the INCANTATION flame burning. Bassist Chuck Sherwood and drummer Kyle Severn offer a solid yet varied rhythm section that back up the twisted riffing from John and Luke. I particularly find the inclusion of new guitarist Luke Shively a very welcomed line-up change. His leads are distinct and diverse, bringing a new dimension to the band’s well rooted sound. Also, I was anticipating a similar production this time. But it seems INCANTATION has a lot of ways to surprise their fans. I mean, I found that the sound from their previous album, “Sect of Vile Divinities”, was a little off, although it was by no means a band album. It just sounded different to me, maybe a little more modern. Just like I found “Profane Nexus”‘s songwriting to be unusual so to speak. And there is nothing wrong with that. Bands evolve and change with time. But “Unholy Deification” resonates in a different way. It has a gloomier atmosphere, similar to “Vanquish In Vengeance” and some of their early ’90s work. The drums specifically have a more organic and natural feel, with a deep and intense guitar tone that is rampant yet not as thick as I was expecting. And that is because this time the bass guitar takes front and center adding the density and weight that the guitars use to have. And the key part here is the mix. Every instrument has a very logical and natural place in the mix, with John’s vocals pushed just a tad back, which curiously gives the album that early fell I just mentioned above. This album feels more cohesive, coherent and well structured. The dynamics are there, the heavy hitting parts are there, the abyssal vocals are there, the slow, doom laden grotesque parts are there and the explosive blast beats parts are there. So, everything checks in this new offering from one of the oldest yet best Death Metal bands in the world today. All in all, “Unholy Deification” serves to cement INCANTATION’s place as an absolute beast of a band that keeps delivering the goods in the best possible way. Death Metal as it was meant to be. No frills, no thrills. Just awesome, extreme and total annihilation. Support the band here: www.facebook.com/incantationofficial. And get their album from the label here: www.facebook.com/relapserecords

When a band transcends, regardless of its band members, you know they have left a legacy. That is the case with these blasphemers of evil Death Metal known as INCANTATION. Not only do they set a kind of school in Death Metal territory, but they are also one of the few bands that don’t betray their essence, no matter what trends there are. And in this case this institution is commanded by no other than Mr. John McEntee. Yes, the band has gone through countless line-up changes, so he decided to keep the basic core, thus taking over the vocal duties himself, something he actually practiced for at least a year. And although one would say that the vocals for this form of deep Death Metal don’t require too much, to be honest, yes it does. It is sometimes the difference between sounding generic or sounding brutal. I know that’s a thin line, but believe me when I tell you that it took John more than a few albums to nail the vocals, and this is probably his best vocal delivery ever. I also noticed that the tempo of the songs has increased. It is not that the doomy parts are left out, actually they are used in many songs, but for some reason, it seems that they are now being played a bit faster. The production on this new album is simply excellent, not muddy or oversaturated, it’s clean, yet brutal enough in the exact amount that it only makes the music shine more. Of corpse INCANTATION is not about happy melodies, yet they do have a sense of twisted horrible melodies, and that aura of always impending doom lurking over. The overall sensation of this new album reminds me a lot of what I felt when I was listening to “Altars Of Madness” for the first time, but just for reference, as defining INCANTATION is something that can only be done by listening to the band. After a few spins this might as well be a more dynamic release of the band, with probably the best production and obviously a very solid execution. In the past years some Death Metal bands that are influenced by INCANTATION have created records surpassing their mentors, but I can say without a doubt that with “Unholy Deification” INCANTATION have outdone themselves again and for me this is probably their best work. And as a fan that can consider old John as a good friend for over a few decades, that’s no simple words. Contender for best album of the year! www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, www.facebook.com/relapserecords

In my musical cosmos there is no bad INCANTATION album – only good and very good ones… and some brilliant ones. “Unholy Deification” belongs to the brilliant ones. Everything that defines this US Death Metal legend, which unfortunately never had the success it deserves, can be found on their new masterpiece. Hardly any Death Metal band is as damn heavy as INCANTATION. In addition, there is a consistently sinister, threatening atmosphere and incredibly gloomy melodies, which are used in a minimalist, but always style-defining way. Special attention is paid to the once again ingenious vocals, which are almost unmatched in their brutality. The Americans are always at their best when they take their foot off the gas pedal and go to work dragging. If BLACK SABBATH would play Death Metal, they would certainly sound like INCANTATION. The intensity of the songs on “Unholy Deification” can hardly be put into words. The album takes the listener on a dark trip to hell and does not let him go before the end of the playing time. At the same time, the songs seem simpler than they actually are. INCANTATION manage to play complex old school Death Metal comprehensibly, but playfully on a high level. Every song on this longplayer is fantastic. The guys have reached a level here, which they have not topped since their first two classic works so despite always great works. Next to the upcoming AUTOPSY perhaps the Death Metal work of the year! Ingenious! www.facebook.com/incantationofficial, www.facebook.com/relapserecords