Superion

What can be misguiding for Polish fans-to-be of this band is the fact, that Empire Rec. released 'Superion' as an addition to their zine 'Thrash'em All' together with debut album of the Czech deathmetallers from CONTEMPT. So this sucks balls, cause if I had a band I'd never allow anybody to release my debut album (for which I bled for nearly a year and in which I believed strong enough to gather strength to record and promote it) as a bonus to some zine in fucking Poland (the zine is good by the way, but does it fucking matters?). We in Poland are used to being fed with numerous shitty releases from numerous shitty bands when buying a zine, so we have no confidence in bands that choose this form of promotion. But that's that - let's talk about music, cause EXCOMMUNION, on contrary to vast majority of newspaper-supergroups, play a damn good death metal. If, after reading this intro, you feel discouraged about this band - don't be!

What I liked first is the sound they achieved on 'Superion'. It's very deep and furious, the snare drum sounds as it wasn't modified in any way but just empowered or maybe doubled for the better effect. It sounds like a can, but in a positive way, cause it nicely harmonizes with low riffing guitars and vocals. Vocals are the second thing I liked, cause generally death metal vocalists exhale while singing, and EXCOMMUNIONs screamer sings also when inhaling. The effect is stunning and the whole vocals are not exactly what you hear on a regular death metal CD.

So as you see, one shouldn't judge a book by the cover of the magazine it is attatched to. Songs on 'Superion' differ from each other. I strongly approve of using samples in metal, with one condition guaranteed - they must be placed with taste and they have to fit and serve the purpose. This few samples EXCOMMUNION used on their first album support this releases atmosphere and fit to their furious, mysterious death metal annihilation.

Summing up - a CD is worth the effort to look for. Right now it stands on my CD shelf, but I somehow can't think of it as a 100% original release, cause I got it with this damn zine, accidentally. But this is me and my shitty prejudices. If you buy this CD in a shop or somewhere else it would for sure be a proud part of your collection.

I could sum up the entirety of this album in a simple phrase: this is the way death metal should be.

While some may complain that the music lacks a bit of variety, I would in turn mention that there is something more than 'just music', and Excommunion captures that metaphysical concept quite well. For those who aren't familiar, this band features members from Nightbringer, and I believe their influence to be noticeable in this release.

The interesting thing about the album is that is chaotic, but still maintains a very voidal feel throughout the whole thing. The melodies are dischordant, and the tempo varying between blast beats, and complete sludging destruction. Fitting, when taking in the concept behind the music - a point too often overlooked when considering the over-all aesthetic value of the art.

I do not see in this album an attempt to be 'blasphemous' exactly, but rather a spirit far deeper than mere rebellion. Songs like 'Rendering the Demon Gate', 'Until Oblivion,' and 'Rites of Excommunion' exhibit this quite nicely, especially when taking in the lyrics along side the music. The lyrics are an important aspect to this album, especially when (as mentioned above) you are looking at the holistic purpose of the album.

As for the music, I would call it a dischordant chaos. At times it is droning, at other times chaotic; one thing that is constant is the abyssic nature of the whole work. When dealing with music from an occult standpoint - or any 'spiritual' standpoint, at that - it is believed that religion vectors art, and art vectors religion. The two are almost inseparable, and Excommunion definitely have a concrete understanding of this idea. During 'Rendering the Demon Gate,' the music at one point takes a 'ritualistic' atmosphere during an invocation. In 'Until Oblivion,' the unorthodox structure of the chords displays a type of wretched and other-wordly manifestation of sorts that creates just that - oblivion.

And I think that is the total concept of the album - oblivion. I will admit that I do not know too much about death metal (it never really interested me), but there are some bands that I can totally stand behind because of their ideologies, and Excommunion is one of those bands. The lyrics are something that cannot be overlooked, and the music is a very good vectoring of the mindset that is behind the lyrics.

I recommend this album for anyone who looks beyond the art-form and into that which births it.

"Warfare, persecution, torture, and enslavement of the lambs of Christ." Bold goals for a death metal band, but Excommunion's brand of brutal, churning death metal certainly is heavy enough to wage war against heaven, if not somewhat silly and generic. I am not all that fond of overtly blasphemous music simply because it usually ends up being stupid and corny. In this regard Excommunion fits up with the stereotype very well. As much as I don't like Christianity, I am very tired of the lame attempts to be "evil." I find that the most evil bands are not the ones with the most blasphemous lyrics, but those with the eeriest atmospheres - the perfect example of this is Black Sabbath's self titled song. That is easily one of the most evil songs ever recorded. To this day it still send shivers up my spine and the lyrics are very tame compared to metal nowadays. Excommunion's music doesn't really create an ominous or evil atmosphere, and while the music is heavy, I certainly don't believe these guys are "evil" in any sense of the word.

As far as the music goes Excommunion is good. The music is brutal, the riffs are churning and hit hard. Overall the music is competent, it just doesn't merit many repeat listens. Superion suffers from what plagues most death metal: lack of variety. The songs are all somewhat the same and nothing really stands out. If they were to throw in some more riff variation or some overt tempo changes or breakdowns I could be excited about this.

In a world of generic death metal Excommunion does not stand out from the crowd. They don't go the hyperblast uber-brutal way, but they don't innovate either. Unless you are a die hard death metal fan this probably isn't worth your time.

Originally Published @ www.metaljudgment.com (c) 2003