Insineratehymn

In contrast to previous works, Deicide slowed way down for 2000’s Insineratehymn. “Forever Hate You” and “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” are marked by chugging, stuttering rhythms that explode without notice into lightning-fast beats, only to return to a churning halftime tempo. With songs like “Suffer Again”—containing a rhythm that could almost be described as swinging—Deicide made subtle attempts to make their brutalizing metal groovier, but there's no arguing that they were most powerful when mounting an all-out onslaught. The three outstanding tracks here are “Bible Basher,” “Remnant of a Hopeless Path,” and “Refusal of Penance.” In these songs, the four band members operate as a single unstoppable battering ram, stomping and shuddering in paroxysms of pure violence. With his swampy, caustic growl, singer Glen Benton is always at the forefront of the music. But the punching power comes from guitarists Brian and Eric Hoffman, as well as drummer Steve Asheim, who offers a world-class showcase of his signature “blast beats.”