Where does IMMOLATION rank in the list of American death metal bands? Right up at the top, I would say. They passed the likes of MORBID ANGEL and DEICIDE a long time ago…way more consistent. Compared to CANNIBAL CORPSE? Hmmm, that’s a tough one, because the CANNIBALS are masters of consistency themselves. But I give the nod to IMMOLATION because the music seems to have a bit more depth to it, and a special kind of darkness that IMMOLATION alone has mastered.
Acts Of God continues in the style of the most recent albums, Atonement and Kingdom Of Conspiracy. The songs are mostly short and very, very concise, yet not lacking in nuance. Grim melodies and a sort of eldritch atmosphere pervade songs like ‘Noose Of Thorns’, ‘Age Of No Light’ and ‘Let The Darkness In’. Well, you wouldn’t expect songs with those names to be breezy pop hits, but there is something more than just brutality going on here. Not that brutality is in short supply, the drums are always ready to blast with double bass ferocity and of course there are always the amazing deep growls of Ross Dolan. He is absolutely one of the best in the business and his gruesome tones sound like a demon preacher delivering a brimstone sermon.
I also want to give more than overdue accolades to Bob Vigna, surely one of the best and most cruelly underrated guitarists in death metal. Not just the beautiful neoclassical guitar soloing, but the unusual and catchy riffs this guy comes up with. It puts such a unique stamp on IMMOLATION’s music and is in full flower on Acts Of God.
So it is with boring predictability and unvarnished honesty that I declare Acts Of God another superb IMMOLATION release. Do not miss it.
Review By: Dr. Abner Mality
IMMOLATION
Acts Of God
Nuclear Blast
4.5 / 6