Year: 2025
Total Time: 47:25
Label: Nuclear Blast
BENEDICTION, the British death metal veterans and legends, are making their return this year with their new album, “Ravage of Empires”, five years after the great “Scriptures”. No special introduction is needed for these British maniacs, however, it’s worth emphasizing that the return of their iconic vocalist, Dave Ingram, on their previous 2020 album, was a pivotal moment in the band’s resurgence.
The result pf this return was that on “Scriptures”, we heard BENEDICTION at their crushing best, just as we knew them in the past. In their latest release, the British folks continue to sound devastating and furious, with moments that travel us back to Death Metal juggernauts like “Transcend the Rubicon” and “Grind Bastard”. “Ravage of Empires” could be described as a release that combines the best elements of these records, the old-school riffing of “Transcend the Rubicon” and the electrifying groove of “Grind Bastard”. After so many years in the game, BENEDICTION are proving once again that artistry is never forgotten…
Led by the great Dave Ingram, whose furious vocals are a trademark of the band, BENEDICTION delivers an old-school Death metal manifesto. From the very first note of the album, with the crushing “A Carrion Harvest”, it becomes clear that this record makes no compromises. The songs overflow with warlike energy, while the album strikes a balance between savage Death Metal and imposing mid-tempo parts, with the overall result exuding experience and maturity. Songs like “Crawling Over Corpses”, “Deviant Spine”, “Ravage of Empires”, and “The Finality of Perpetuation” prove this beyond a doubt, while album’s production follows the successful path of “Scriptures”.
The overall result is a record proving that BENEDICTION remain true to their roots without becoming repetitive. They don’t reinvent themselves, however they know how to create quality songs without the need for technical excess or high speed. The groove, the heavy guitar sound and the aggressive atmosphere are more than enough to create a Death Metal album that can stand toe-to-toe with their iconic releases, satisfying fully those who love BENEDICTION’s classic sound!
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: BENEDICTION – Facebook Page
