“The Stench of Redemption” is Deicide’s eighth studio album, released in 2006 on Earache Records. Featuring a revitalized lineup with new guitarists Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla, the album showcases a technical and aggressive approach to death metal, with lyrics focusing on anti-Christian and blasphemous themes. Notably, it was Deicide’s highest-charting album at the time of its release and received positive critical reception.
Album length: 41:12
Death metal
August 22, 2006
Earache Records
April - June 2006
Morrisound Recording (Tampa, Florida)
Steve Asheim
Satanic Worship and Defiance: Songs like “Homage for Satan” and “Death to Jesus” leave no room for interpretation, openly praising Satan and calling for the destruction of Christian figures. The lyrics celebrate rebellion against religious authority and embrace darkness as a liberating force.
Blasphemy and Anti-Religious Sentiment: The album’s title itself, “The Stench of Redemption,” sets the tone for the lyrical content, which consistently attacks Christian beliefs and practices. Lyrics frequently depict Jesus in a negative light and question the validity of religious teachings.
Violence and Gore: Deicide’s signature gore-filled lyrics are present throughout the album, with vivid descriptions of violence, death, and suffering. This element adds to the overall extreme and shocking nature of the music, appealing to fans of brutal and graphic content.
Occultism and Dark Spirituality: The album explores themes of the occult, referencing rituals, demons, and dark forces. Lyrics suggest a fascination with the unknown and a rejection of traditional religious values.
Intense and Aggressive: The album’s fast tempos, heavy riffs, and blast beats create a relentless wall of sound that is both intense and aggressive. The music is designed to pummel the listener and leave them feeling energized and empowered.
Dark and Ominous: The album’s lyrical themes and musical atmosphere create a sense of darkness and foreboding. The use of minor keys, dissonant chords, and sinister melodies contributes to the overall ominous mood.
Blasphemous and Provocative: The album’s anti-religious lyrics and imagery are deliberately provocative and designed to shock and offend. This element adds to the album’s overall rebellious and defiant spirit.
Energetic and Cathartic: Despite its dark themes, the album’s energy and intensity can be cathartic for listeners who enjoy extreme and aggressive music. The music provides an outlet for anger, frustration, and other negative emotions.
Technical and Skillful: The album showcases the band’s technical proficiency, with complex song structures, intricate guitar solos, and impressive drumming. This element adds to the album’s overall appeal for metalheads who appreciate musicianship and skill.
Guitar Lineup Changes: This album marked a significant lineup change with the addition of guitarists Jack Owen (formerly of Cannibal Corpse) and Ralph Santolla (formerly of Death and Iced Earth). Their contributions brought a fresh sound to Deicide, blending technical guitar shredding with melodic elements, which added depth and diversity to the band’s traditional brutal death metal style.
Limited Edition Release: There was a special clam case edition of the album limited to 4,000 copies. This edition included a bonus track, a cover of Deep Purple’s “Black Night” with rewritten lyrics by Glen Benton, as well as picture cards of the band members and a poster.
Ralph Santolla’s Impact: The late Ralph Santolla, who passed away in 2018, was particularly praised for his guitar work on this album. His contributions were seen as a major factor in the band’s revitalized sound, bringing a technical prowess and melodic flair that stood out in the death metal genre.
Resurgence in Popularity: “The Stench of Redemption” helped Deicide regain their status in the death metal scene after a period of lineup changes and less impactful releases. The fresh lineup and revitalized sound played a key role in reestablishing their influence.
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