Deicide: Deicide (1990)

“Deicide” is the debut album by American death metal band Deicide, released in 1990 by Roadrunner Records. Recorded at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, this seminal work is noted for its ferocious speed, complex guitars, and Glen Benton’s distinctive growls. The album’s themes are deeply anti-religious, delving into blasphemy and sacrilege, which have cemented its controversial yet pivotal status in metal history. Essential for extreme metal enthusiasts, “Deicide” exemplifies the genre’s aggressive and boundary-pushing nature during its formative years.

Deicide: Deicide (1990) album cover

Track Listing

  1. Lunatic of God’s Creation
  2. Sacrificial Suicide
  3. Oblivious to Evil
  4. Dead by Dawn
  5. Blaspherereion
  6. Deicide
  7. Carnage in the Temple of the Damned
  8. Mephistopheles
  9. Day of Darkness
  10. Crucifixation

Album length: 33:13

Music genre

Death metal

The Lineup for the Album

  • Glen Benton: vocals, bass
  • Brian Hoffman: guitars
  • Eric Hoffman: guitars
  • Steve Asheim: drums

Release Date

June 24, 1990

Record Label

Roadrunner Records

Recording Date

March 1990

Recording Studio

Morrisound Studios (Tampa, Florida)

Produced by

Scott Burns and Deicide

Album Themes/Concept

Blasphemy and Anti-Religion: The lyrics prominently feature blasphemous content and a strong anti-religious stance, particularly against Christianity. They challenge religious doctrines and figures, often in a confrontational and provocative manner.

Graphic and Vivid Imagery: The album employs graphic descriptions that paint vivid scenes of biblical horror and sacrilege. These descriptions are intended to evoke strong visual and emotional responses from the listener.

Existential and Philosophical Undertones: Beyond the surface level shock, the lyrics explore deeper existential questions and philosophical reflections on religion and its impact on humanity.

Album Mood

Intense and Aggressive: The album creates a relentlessly intense atmosphere, driven by fast tempos, heavy riffing, and aggressive drumming. It embodies the essence of death metal with its raw power and sonic brutality.

Dark and Ominous: There’s a pervasive sense of darkness throughout the album, not just in the lyrical content but also in the musical tones and structures. The mood is foreboding and menacing, enhancing the themes of blasphemy and anti-religion.

Provocative and Confrontational: The album is designed to provoke and confront, eliciting strong emotional responses through its controversial themes and straightforward lyrics. It challenges listeners’ beliefs and perspectives, often pushing boundaries.

Angry and Defiant: There is a clear tone of anger and defiance that runs through the tracks. This is not just directed at religious figures and doctrines but also expresses a broader discontent with societal norms and constraints.

Album Trivia

Recording and Production: The album was recorded in March 1990 at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, a studio renowned for its role in the development of the death metal genre. The album was produced by Scott Burns along with the band, who is a notable figure in producing death metal albums.

Recording Speed: The album was recorded very quickly, in just a few days, which was typical for many death metal albums at the time due to budget constraints.

Horror Inspiration: The song “Dead by Dawn” is directly inspired by the 1981 horror film “The Evil Dead,” which is evident in its title and thematic elements. This song became one of the band’s most recognized tracks, partly because of its vivid storytelling that parallels the movie’s plot​.

Impact on Popular Culture: The track “Dead by Dawn” was featured in the video game “Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned,” which indicates the cultural penetration and recognition of the album beyond just the music industry​.

Controversial Imagery: The album’s artwork and lyrical content were quite controversial at the time of its release, reflecting themes of anti-religion and blasphemy, which were central to Deicide’s identity. This led to various bans and protests against the band, particularly from religious groups.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

  • Enjoy classic death metal: If you appreciate the foundations of the death metal genre, especially the raw and aggressive style that defined the early 90s scene, “Deicide” is a quintessential listen.
  • Like thematic intensity: The album’s themes are deeply anti-religious and confrontational, which can be appealing if you’re drawn to music that challenges societal norms and provokes thought.
  • Appreciate musical aggression: With its fast tempos, complex guitar riffs, and powerful drumming, this album exemplifies the intense musicianship that death metal fans often celebrate.
  • Are interested in historical impact: As a key album in the development of death metal, “Deicide” has historical significance for the genre, influencing countless bands and musicians.

You might want to pass this one if you…

  • Prefer lighter or more melodic music styles: If your taste leans towards lighter or melodic subgenres of metal, such as power metal or symphonic metal, the extreme nature of “Deicide” might not suit your preferences.
  • Are sensitive to graphic content: The lyrics and themes of “Deicide” are very graphic, with a focus on blasphemy and violence. If such content is uncomfortable or offensive to you, this album might not be the right choice.
  • Dislike intense vocal styles: The vocal style on “Deicide” is harsh and guttural, characteristic of death metal but potentially off-putting for those not accustomed to or fond of ‘growling’ vocals.
  • Prefer highly polished production: While the production on “Deicide” is considered good for its time, it lacks the polished finish of modern metal productions. If you prefer a cleaner sound, this album’s raw energy might not meet your audio preferences.