After 2004’s Scars Of The Crucifix, guitarists Eric and Brian Hoffman left Deicide; bassist/vocalist Glen Benton and drummer Steve Asheim brought in Ralph Santolla and Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) and made an absolutely masterful album. Lyrically, it’s the same old story (“Death To Jesus,” “Homage For Satan”), but when it’s guitar solo time, the whammy-bar gymnastics of old have been replaced by epic, at times stunningly beautiful shredding that elevates the music to an unprecedented level of virtuosity. Seventeen years into their career, Deicide made their masterpiece.

– Phil Freeman