Holy Murder Masquerade

Sweden’s IMPIOUS has released an intriguing concept album in “Holy Murder Masquerade.” The said album’s lyrics are all connected conceptually in a slasher story of a deranged lunatic who goes about erasing his blood line because he believes he was spawn from evil. The murderer knows he is wrong, but escapes the guilt by hiding behind what his warped mind believes is a “skin mask fashioned from Jesus Christ’s face.” IMPIOUS could have related this story in conventional fashion, with the lyrics printed in white font; instead, the group conveys the lyrics through comic book illustrations. Each illustration features dark, shadowing images. The vivid art work printed on glossy paper creates a graphic novel look.

IMPIOUS creates a suitable musical narration to their harrowing tale. There is this murderous aura that persists through out the album. IMPIOUS comes from the right metal scene to create this deadly sound. Hailing from Sweden, IMPIOUS crafts a killer sound built on the foundation of bands like DISMEMBER and early ENTOMBED, who schemed many blood-stained tales of insane slayers. The down-tuned, raw sound characteristic of Stockholm Sweden is finely represented on “Holy Murder Masquerade.” “Everlasting Punishment” is a dictionary example of how to create a gritty, down-tuned guitar sound. This track grinds away like a blood-and-flesh-splattered bone saw. “Purified by Fire” is bound to make the listener cough from the smoke trail caused by the combustible drum and guitar triplets.

“Holy Murder Masquerade” benefits not only through unbridled brutality, but also through a variety of guitar and drumming styles and tempo changes. Chugging guitar grooves and triplet drum patterns are utilized on “Death on Floor 44,” but soon a melodic lead is layered on top of this rhythm. This song picks up the intensity factor with blasting drums and speed-picked riffs.

No Swedish death metal album is complete without the trademark hammer on guitar harmonies. “Three of One” features classic Swedish harmonies perfect for banging your head. This track even shows the group employing short, acoustic guitar passages during the chorus parts.

With “Holy Murder Masquerade,” IMPIOUS has created an all-around good Swedish death metal album. The packaging is extravagant, the music is vicious, the group’s musicianship is superb, and the group closely follows a timeless death metal style. “Holy Murder Masquerade” is a total package well-worth spending your hard-earned money on.

originally published on metalcentre.com