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Deicide - In the Minds of Evil

Deicide
Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

251 days till W:O:A 2023.

 

Deicide, yet another one of those bands that are widely acknowledged of shaping metal the way it is today. Deicide was formed in 1987 by drummer Steve Asheim and the brothers Eric and Brian Hoffman. Glen Benton joined the band as vocalist and bassist soon after. The band performed under the name of Carnage first and when Benton joined they called themselves Amon. Since 1989 they have been known as Deicide.

 

Being founded in Tampa (the "capital of death metal"), Deicide was part of the Florida death metal scene together with other death metal veterans like Death, Morbid Angel or Obituary. They are one of the bestselling death metal bands and their first three albums Deicide (1990), Legion (1992) and Once Upon the Cross (1995) are deemed absolutely crucial death metal classics by many.

 

Deicide are notorious for their frontman Glen Burton with his inverted cross branding on the forehead and their anti-Christian, blasphemic lyrics. They have been banned from various locations and were also subject to bomb attacks and assaults.

 

Throughout their career, Deicide have released 12 studio albums, their latest release was Overtures of Blasphemy in 2018. From what I've read so far most fans hold the first three albums in high regard and the most successful album has been The Stench of Redemption from 2006. Apparently there are several albums in the band's discography that severly lack in quality, but I can't comment on that, as I've obviously not listened to all 12 albums at this point in my research.

 

What I have listened to are the latest two Deicide albums: Overtures of Blasphemy (2018) and In the Minds of Evil (2013). I have to say that both albums were easier to listen to than I'd expected but In the Minds of Evil resonated more with me, so I chose this album for my article. The cover art alone is great, this is a cover I really love. And not only the cover, the first three songs of this album absolutely got me and made it on my playlist.

What I was missing when listening to Defleshed last week, Deicide absolutely deliver. There is no shortage of guitar solos, melodic scales and catchy choruses. The songs are short and to the point but don't blend into each other.

My absolutely favourite on this album is the second track Thou Begone. The opening galopp is just insanely catchy and had me hooked from the first second. I love the riffing and the overall groove of this song. Fun Fact: I read that Steve Asheim had a dislocated shoulder while recording this album, so that makes the drumming even more impressive!


The title track In the Minds of Evil and the third track Godkill follow in the same footsteps. The songs are super fast and brutal but at the same time very groovy and catchy thanks to the use of strong riffs that pull you through.

Glen Benton is growling his way through the tracks. There is not much variation when it comes to his use of vocals and apparently he has been known not only for his death metal growls but also for being able to sprinkle the odd black metal scream in between.


In the Minds of Evil features founding members Steve Asheim and Glen Benton as well as guitarists Kevin Quirion and Jack Owen. While all the lyrics have been written by Glen Benton, Quirion and Owen played a considerable part in writing the music. Alltogether the album features 11 songs and 37 minutes of old school death metal full of heavy riffs and blasting drums. Nearly each song features something to latch on to and the album feels consistent in its delivery and production. I had fun with it!

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