DEICIDE – Scars Of The Crucifix

"Blah blah Deicide have sucked for a few albums, blah blah Benton joins Vital Remains, blah Dechristianize, one of the best death metal albums of 2003, blah blah Deicide signs with Earache, blah new album Scars of the Crucifix. There. Rather than rehash the storied last few months of Mr. Benton’s trials and tribulations, any self respecting metal head knows the back-story for this album, so I’ll get straight to the points you want to know. 1) Yes, this is the best Deicide album since Once Upon the Cross. And 2) No, Scars of the Crucifix is not Dechristianize pt 2. I myself thought that Benton’s involvement in Vital Remains would have resulted in blatant rip off, but to his and the band’s credit, Deicide have made an album that still retains the old personality of Deicide. Granted his time in Vital Remains may have rubbed off somewhat, but those expecting a plethora of harmonic solos or epic 10 minute songs will be sorely disappointed. What Scars does do is show a renewed vigor from Ben