Band:	Incantation
Album:	Unholy Deification
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	August 2023

01. Offerings (The Swarm) IV
02. Concordat (The Pact) I
03. Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII
04. Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX
05. Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X
06. Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI
07. Convulse (Words Of Power) III
08. Altar (Unify In Carnage) V
09. Exile (Defy The False) II
10. Circle (Eye Of Ascension) VII

Slow and steady wins the race.

You could be forgiven for thinking Incantation would take their time in releasing a new album after producing one of their strongest latter-day records in Sect Of Vile Divinities. But even with a delayed tour to support it due to Covid, the band have decided to take the risk and produce a new album in Unholy Deification, rather than ride the waves generated by the prior album any further.

While I commend the band for taking such a risk and giving fans more material to listen to, it is a decision that Incantation may rue in hindsight. The resulting album, Unholy Deificiation, sounds bland and staid, showing hints of what could have been, had it been given a bit more time. While it is an enjoyable listen, fans of the death metal genre will question why they should listen to this, given the glut of alternative options available.

Thirteen albums and still going, McEntee is a battle hardened veteran of the genre, having helped shape the genre into what it has become today. "Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X" hints at how McEntee has melded the sound that became part of the blueprint from which many other bands have since drawn. Tracks like "Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI"  and "Concordat (The Pact) I" are examples of how, while enjoyable, Unholy Deification does little to add an exciting new chapter in the band's history. Rather, the album suggests that, with a bit more time given to the project, these tracks could have been better than they are now.

McEntee's vocal and guitar prowess remain as powerful as they did on the band's earlier work, with the debuting Shivley making for a good partner for McEntee to bounce riffs off of, à la "Convulse (Words Of Power) III". The stripped down tone of Severn's drums do him a disservice. While his parts are clearly audible, they lack the power to really add to the album's aggressive attack. With some greater power and depth, Severn could really propel the tracks along, rather than feeling like a supporting cast member on Unholy Deification.

With a bit more time to allow the songs to mature and an improved mix, Unholy Deificiation could have built on the recent momentum the band has generated for themselves. As it is, however, Incantation produce a good, though not great, album that is worth listening to, but unlikely to be something you will return to with any regularity.