CD review, Dec 08. Deicide – Scars of the Crucifix (Earache)

After the eternally mindblowing debut and the only marginally less brilliant followup Legion, I found Deicide to fall into a rather predictable pattern of speed’n’growl water treading. Not that there’s any question of the heaviness, but more likely, what’s the point? While some moments of their back catalogue standout a little, I’ve found little to draw me back that touches the debut. Unfortunately such is the same with this immaculately packaged re-issue from 2004. Diehards might want to get it for the extra documentary and concert footage, but the first two albums would better satisfy the curious. What Deicide do have is Glenn Benton’s demonic but now almost comedic gravelly growl and a lot of hyperblasting and patented smooth riffing that really doesn’t stick in the mind. Appreciating Death Metal is really an individual thing, and for me while this is heavy as fuck, it’s the same old thing.