Devotion - Necrophiliac Cults

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal Death

Upon listening to this release, I've noted that I actually like this one more than their follow-up 'The Harrowing'. It's dark and eerie death metal as I have taken a great liking to their guitar crunch tone. The whole 39 minutes of this release is absolutely brutal death metal! The vocals are dark and grim which goes along well to the music. The album is TOO fast it's more of a grim vibe to it. The leads were sick too alongside the rhythm guitar-work. I enjoyed this immensely. The sound quality did the album good too. I can honestly say that my "C" rating for this wasn't overly generous.

The music and vocals I liked the most on this entire album, but the drums were well played out too! What I like about the guitars is that they're sick and original as far as riff-writing goes. These guys take no prisoners, just the listener! But it isn't much of a prison when you're digging what you hear on an album! I think that they really are a diverse band and that just shows on this release. Yes I do like this more than 'The Harrowing' but both are well played out. Gruesome and vile throat the music just is fantastic too! There isn't really anything that I'd change on this release. They nailed it!

The production quality is just about perfection and everything you could hear including the bass and keys. I wouldn't modify any part of this album. They hit home with one killer release. The only caveat is maybe a few things...the sound of the drums (snare and double bass) as well as some of the rhythm guitar is a bit muddled. That's why I took some points off otherwise it's GRAND. As long as they're playing slow, the riffs are easier to decipher. But the tremolo picking is a little tough to transcribe on a treble clef. But this album is one onslaught of destruction to your eardrums! They got it right on here. Just some things to work on.

I went ahead and bought this CD on eBay but it is available both on Spotify and YouTube. You wouldn't think of a name for a death metal band would be "Devotion", but maybe it's the illusive oxymoron. Do show support for the band by getting the album. But if you want to stick to digital, at least take a listen and hear how it sounds. I thought that it would be good from hearing 'The Harrowing' but I actually like this one a little more than their current release. It's thicker and I like the production quality more. Check it out! (Death8699)

(The Horror Dimension - 2016)
Score: 70

https://devotiondeathmetal.bandcamp.com/album/necrophiliac-cults-5 

Devotion - The Harrowing

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

What a HEAVY release! I think their previous was a bit better, but this one packs a punch and I was impressed with their perseverance regarding their songwriting. The music is brutal and so are the vocals. Sound quality is quite good, but I thought 'Necrophiliac Cults' was a little more impressive. This still has some great moments. The riff-writing was good, but the tone of the guitars were on distortion but a little more dark. The quality of the music is better than their previous but the guitars I thought their previous was better. Nevertheless, the overall output here was admirable.

Talking about the guitar, because the acoustics (sound) were a little muddled I couldn't hear the riffs as well as on their previous. In some instances it just was noise. Especially when the leads were going. But otherwise, no other complaints really. The vocals make the music sound even darker than on any of theirs. I like the fact that they wanted a more brutal sound but their riff-writing could've been better sounding. Anyway, it's good as it is despite my differences regarding the guitar riff-writing. I suppose you can say that it's an album that you've got to be in an acquired zone when hearing. That's the best way I can describe it.

The production quality was a step-up from their previous. I think that the music was well mixed and solid in that respect. Everything you can hear pretty well (guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and so on) so in that respect it's solid. I like how the vocals follows the guitars in some songs. There weren't many that followed that path but the guitars were HEAVY duty! I think that they needed to spend more time with the riffs and lay them out in the right times alongside the rest of the instruments. If they would've, I would've scored this higher than an 80%. Anyway, a good release at that and some good music (in streaks).

I'd check this out on YouTube I don't believe it's on Spotify. I ordered the physical copy on eBay. It was worth it even though I have beef with the recording. I'd say support this band because they have a helluv a lot of potential. These past two releases show great promise in the death metal arena. I'd say get their previous and this current one because both of them are good. They really do well with making death metal. I know I said a lot that was wrong with this album I guess it's because their previous I though was more solid. But either way, both are good. Check this one out! (Death8699)

(Memento Mori - 2021)
Score: 68

https://devotiondeathmetal.bandcamp.com/album/the-harrowing