Deicide’s “Scars of the Crucifix” is a sonic assault of pure aggression and anti-religious fury. This 2004 death metal album, the last with the Hoffman brothers on guitar, is a relentless barrage of blast beats, guttural vocals, and blasphemous lyrics.
Album length: 29:32
Death metal
February 23, 2004
Earache Records
July - August 2003
Morrisound Recording (Tampa, Florida)
Neil Kernon
Contempt for Organized Religion: Songs like “Mad at God” and “Fuck Your God” are vitriolic attacks on the hypocrisy and perceived evil of Christianity.
Rejection of the Divine: The album questions the existence and benevolence of God, portraying him as a sadist in “When Heaven Burns.”
Embracing Darkness and Suffering: Tracks like “From Darkness Come” and the title track celebrate pain and darkness as liberating forces against religious oppression.
Historical and Biblical References: Songs like “Conquered by Sodom” and “The Pentecostal” draw upon historical and biblical events to criticize religious figures and practices.
Gore and Violence: As is typical for Deicide, graphic descriptions of violence and gore are interspersed throughout the lyrics, adding to the album’s brutal atmosphere.
Piano on a Death Metal Album: The closing track, “The Pentecostal,” features a surprising piano interlude played by drummer Steve Asheim. This is a rare occurrence in death metal, adding a unique touch to the album’s final moments.
Last Album with Hoffman Brothers: This album is the last to feature both Eric and Brian Hoffman, making it a notable chapter in the band’s history. Their departure after this album was due to ongoing tensions with Glen Benton, adding a layer of drama to the album’s legacy.
Deicide’s First-ever Music Video: “Scars of the Crucifix” was Deicide’s first-ever music video, filmed in Nottingham, England. This video is noted for its graphic content, aligning with the band’s provocative themes.
Sales Recognition: In 2006, Deicide received a Silver Disc from the independent music trade body Impala for European sales of “Scars of the Crucifix”.
Torture Controversy: The song “Fuck Your God” was reportedly used as a torture method by US interrogators in Iraq, where it was played at high volumes to induce sleep deprivation.
Reception: While the album received mixed reviews, many fans and critics saw it as a return to form for Deicide, with its raw aggression and direct approach reminiscent of their earlier work.
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Deicide’s “Scars of the Crucifix” is a sonic assault of pure aggression and anti-religious fury. This 2004 death metal album, the last with the Hoffman brothers on guitar, is a relentless barrage of blast beats, guttural vocals, and blasphemous lyrics.
Deicide’s 2006 album, “The Stench of Redemption,” released on Earache Records, features a new lineup and showcases a technical, aggressive death metal sound with blasphemous lyrics.
Deicide’s 2008 album, “Till Death Do Us Part,” is a brutal return to their classic death metal sound, featuring anti-Christian themes and intense musicianship.
Deicide’s 2011 album, “To Hell with God,” is a relentless and blasphemous death metal assault. It features their trademark aggressive sound, with fast tempos, pummeling drums, and razor-sharp riffs. Lyrically, the album continues their well-established anti-religious themes.
Deicide’s 2013 album “In the Minds of Evil”, their eleventh, features aggressive death metal and blasphemous lyrics exploring anti-religion, darkness, and violence.
Deicide’s 2018 album “Overtures of Blasphemy,” produced by Jason Suecof, is a relentless death metal assault showcasing their signature anti-religious themes and aggressive sound.
Deicide’s “Banished by Sin” (2024, Reigning Phoenix Music) is a classic death metal assault. Glen Benton leads vocally and in production, delivering a raw and aggressive sound that stays true to the band’s roots.