Looking back into the grimy roots of death metal, the ’90s stand tall — a golden era when legends like Dismember, Entombed, Bolt Thrower, Obituary, and of course, Benediction carved their names into the underground. Fast forward to 2025, and Benediction proves that raw, uncompromising old-school death metal still hits like a wrecking ball. Ravage of Empires doesn’t just revisit the past — it drags it, screaming and bloodied, into the now.
The album wastes zero time. „A Carrion Harvest“ kicks the door down with a blast of riff-heavy aggression and Dave Ingram’s unmistakable growl roaring, “Brace for impact, go!” It’s a perfect warning shot — this is war.
From the relentless chug of „Engines of War“ to the pit-stirring madness of „Genesis Chamber“ and the ominous creep of „In the Dread of the Night,“ Benediction deliver a masterclass in brutality with purpose. The grooves are thick, the tremolo riffs cut like rusted blades, and the pacing is pure, old-school mayhem. There’s no filler here — just 11 tracks of solid, blood-pumping death metal.
Producer Scott Atkins keeps everything razor-sharp yet crushing, giving each riff and blast beat the weight it deserves without ever sacrificing clarity. And visually, Wolven Claws Artist delivers an album cover that oozes dark atmosphere — it’s brutal, detailed, and totally fitting.
With Ravage of Empires, Benediction aren’t just honoring their legacy — they’re reinforcing it. This is proof that the spirit of ’90s death metal not only survives but thrives in 2025. Fans of the old ways — this one’s for you.
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