VITAL REMAINS „Icons of Evil”

Music: Death Metal
Country: United States
Web site: www.vitalremains.com
Cool Songs: Reborn…The Upheavel of Nihility, Icons of Evil, Scorned

“Icons of Evil” is the second VITAL REMAINS album featuring inverted-cross-branded front man Glen Benton of DEICIDE on vocals. How you felt about their previous album “Dechristianize,” will most likely determine your feelings for this one. The formula still remains the same. Blazing, satanic death metal with plenty of ripping leads and melodic solos is the normal format for “Icons of Evil.”

All the musicians are truly excellent at their craft on this album, but it is of particular note that VR has the sound of a five-piece band, yet only use three members. They are able to pull this off do to the instrumental adaptability of Dave Suzuki. Not only does Suzuki provide a ton of killer lead guitar work, he also maintains the frantic pace behind the drum kit. Additionally, Suzuki does screaming backing vocals to add an extra layer to Benton’s guttural growls.

Suzuki’s versatility is one of the more spectacular facets of “Icons of Evil.” What really makes “Icons of Evil” an enjoyable listen is the lead guitar playing. Suzuki and Lazaro have a great chemistry shown in their trading off of solos. The lead work is quite exceptional, too. Some of their solo work appears influenced by YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, which is confirmed with their cover of MALMSTEEN's “Disciples of Hell.”

The title track blasts away seemingly with no regard for drum sticks or guitar strings. The pace soon slows, and the lead guitar cuts in for the first time on the album. The soloing continues until they make a melodic break, which is returned to several times through out the song.

“Scorned” follows a similar path of balancing melody and ferocity. This time the lead work cuts the blistering pace in half, bringing the music down to another great harmonious passage. Suzuki and Lazaro further show off their guitar magic with an extended solo focusing on complex scales and finger tapping techniques. There is even a moment of Spanish Flamenco acoustics on “Reborn…The Upheavel of Nihility.”

Because Glen Benton affixed his name to “Icon’s of Evil,” VR ascertained a lot more album sales, but while Benton fills the role well, it is the playing of Dave Suzuki and Lazaro that makes “Icons of Evil” an impressive listen. “Icons” is brutal, fast, and technically awesome. The only point of contention with this record is the length of each song. VR could have trimmed a couple minutes away from most of their songs, especially considering each song returns to the same melodic hook and blasting verse lines, time and time again. Listeners may have to sit through some long songs, but at least they’re good songs!

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. Where Is Your God Now
2. Icons of Evil
3. Scorned
4. Born To Rape The World
5. Reborn… The Upheaval of Nihility
6. Hammer Down The Nails
7. Shrapnel Embedded Flesh
8. 'Til Death
9. In Infamy
10. Disciples of Hell (Yngwie Malmsteen cover)
Total playing time 01:07:19

Line-up

Tony Lazaro – Rhythm Guitar
Dave Suzuki – Lead Guitar, Bass, Drums
Glen Benton – Vocals