Satan Alpha Omega

Filipino death/black metal horde Deiphago’s latest album fits firmly within the ‘war metal’ niche.

For those with a fondness of a more conspicuous ‘musical’ approach you’ll be relieved to find that Deiphago don’t simply aim for an impenetrable wall of noise that many associate with the emulation of many post-Ross Bay acts.

Riff work and percussion are neatly balanced within a ‘modern’ sounding production job that shows consideration for the primitive and raw acoustics of each instrument whilst never being overbearing. The overall production is not unlike the most recent album by Impiety, but more organic sounding, with less compression, and much more analogous.

Musically the more discernible segments of ‘Satan Alpha Omega’ are similar to Bestial Warlust, albeit less harmonious and with a more low-end, downtuned aesthetic that is parallel to Conqueror, but more upfront in the mix.

Solos accentuate individual songs to good effect, having a playfulness similar to what you’d expect from Angelcorpse, but more simple, less technical but with a similar manipulation of the tremolo arm. Drumming is akin to the work of J.Read (Revenge, Conqueror, Axis Of Advance) but more loose, less mechanistic and free flowing, working very well with the power-trio dynamic Deiphago possess.

Amidst the fury of ‘Satan Alpha Omega’ Deiphago blast forth a cover of ‘Crucifixation’ by Deicide. If you were to listen to this album without having observed any of the artwork and having observed none of the song titles it would be difficult for this to become obvious, though it is perhaps the most discernable track on the album, along with the title track. Deiphago break no new ground but firmly know their aesthetic, and how to work external ideas into it.

It’s easy to imagine the how this band would come across within a live environment, and ‘Satan Alpha Omega’ makes for a solid, savage listen.

http://stenchofishtar.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/deiphago-satan-alpha-omega/