The ten new songs are imbued with an atmosphere of macabre and draw from the ghoulish growls of John McEntee masterfully combining his signature guitar riffs. From the opening notes of the first track “Offerings (The Swarm) IV” Incantation engages in a whirlwind riffing with a propelling heaviness of the drums capturing superb skill and craftsmanship. The guitars are particularly murky, impressive, and effectively executed throughout, offering a deathly stream of hellish aggression filled with all kinds of creepiness. However, Incantation’s sound is still adhering to its condescending canon and never strays from the raw death metal riffs, the drums on the other hand are more focused on creating a sonic cohesion.

“Concordat (The Pact) I” shows how the band can forge its dark riffing style with the more doomy passages, there is a significant change in keeping an intense momentum. The majority of the songs are faster and relentlessly raw and furious, the effort to reinvigorate the dynamics doesn’t mean that the band opts for a fundamental change in sound. The riffing strikes a chord with intensity and this somehow gives the album a brutal quality, the production of the album is powerful but not overwrought and this provides the drums with a punchy sound. “Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII” and “Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX” show an interesting dichotomy between the brutal death metal and the slow death/doom. The translucent strum of the lead guitars gets plenty of moments to shine, the shredding leads unleash an eerie note causing your skin to crawl.

While several song tracks like “Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X” impose dark haunting catchy hooks, the guitars and the hammering blast beats take on a whole range of uncompromising brutality. Luke Shively who makes his first appearance with the band shows his worthiness in handling the rhythm guitars. There are plenty of moments where Incantation showcases its brutality and with the unique ghoulish growls of John McEntee evoking a sense of morbidness the band elevates itself beyond the norms.

The composition is brought to new levels and presents something more complex and technical. “Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI” moves into a fast-paced tempo with an incredible ability to create an atmosphere of macabre, the melodies evoke tremendous hooks backed with sinister riffs that amalgamate the crushing work of the drums. All the classical elements of Incantation are propelled to craft unrivaled instrumentation, therefore “Unholy Deification” reflects a diversity of whirlwind fast riffing, striking drums, and organic song structure.

The tempos are pushed to an extreme extent, with the effect on the guitars fusing some doom metal breakdowns and a cold atmosphere. The tracks also contain a few melodies, and rhythms, shredding solos and blast beats to add to the formula that offers an incredible experience. Although nothing groundbreaking here it is still great to hear such greatness from a renowned band such as Incantation. Kyle Severn‘s drumming is firm, raw, and organic and Chuck Sherwood‘s bass guitar provides thick layers of gossamer, and they intermingle with the riff work.

“Convulse (Words of Power) III” launches into a mid-tempo before the deep rumbling of the rapidly pummeling drums exorcises the listener with a blasting fury of unhinged brutality. The sonic aggression is on point, but Incantation has managed to curate some worthy material and addictive songs, the significant change is that the songs are concise and laden with qualities. There is nothing that breaks from the mold, tracks like “Altar (Unify in Carnage) II” takes a slow march in the territory of death doom and build up for the latter track “Exile (Defy the False) II” which offers the classic NY death doom.

The slow riffing of the closing track “Circle (Eye of Ascension) VII” imbue the traditional ghastly sound of Incantation, the drums hold a slow-down funereal pace when the heavy monolithic riffage accentuates bringing a menacing closure and combine all the elements of the band.

Links