Deicide - The Stench of Redemption

The Stench of Redemption is the sound of Deicide roaring back to life, a 2006 album that critics hailed as a return to form for the Florida death metal institution.

After the departure of guitarists Eric and Brian Hoffman, Glen Benton and drummer Steve Asheim rebuilt the band with two new lead players: Jack Owen, formerly of Cannibal Corpse, and Ralph Santolla, formerly of Iced Earth. The new pairing brought a melodic, neo-classical lead style that was a dramatic departure from the band's earlier atonal shredding. It also became their most successful release at that point, reaching number 11 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.

The riffs are as savage as ever and the blast beats relentless, but the solos now sparkle with arpeggiated flair. The title track opens in furious style, "Homage for Satan" became the album's notorious video, and "Death to Jesus" and "Crucified for the Innocence" pair Benton's layered growls and shrieks with some of Asheim's most memorable riffing. Asheim has called it the Deicide album he is proudest of, and it is easy to hear why.

For anyone who thinks melody and brutality can't share a record, this one makes a compelling counterargument, and it remains a high-water mark for the band's later years.