The Pitch: Italian blackened death metal band Hideous Divinity return with a intensely berating new album via Century Media. FFO: Behemoth, Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel
What I Like: Simulcrum is a real maelstrom of an album. Above all else, it seems designed to deafen and defile the listener as much as possible and by any means necessary. From the vitriolic vocals to the Behemoth-y blackened death riffs, there is no question as to the heaviness of this record. Subtlety is not in Hideous Divinity's vocabulary. When walking into a room, they assess their surroundings only in terms of which objects would cause the most blunt force trauma. I'm also quite impressed with the bass work on this album, especially the stellar little solo on "The Deaden Room."
Critiques: File this along with a number of other supremely heavy albums that are a bit too dense for their own good. It goes to 11 so often that it can honestly be a little tiresome. I enjoy the overall experience, but by the time it's over not much of it sticks with me. In that way it's a little faceless. Also, too many drawn out outros on these tracks. Know when to end.
The Verdict: While lacking in terms of individual personality, Simulcrum is sure to split your head open and boil your brains. There's little reason as to why the average death metal listener wouldn't enjoy this album. I'd just like to see Hideous Divinity step up the dynamics and originality a little bit more.
Flight's Fav's: Anamorphia Atto III, The Deaden Room, Seed of Future Horror
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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