Lista de Bandas Black Death Excommunicated Skeleton Key

Excommunicated is a young black/death metal act, but do not be fooled by its recent formation for the individual members behind the band are all veterans in their own rights in the Louisiana metal scene. While most of the members of the band are/were involved in death metal acts, Excommunicated, with their debut full length album Skeleton Key, features a more blackened sound and it is definitely going to be interesting to hear what these death metal veterans are capable of, with their foray into formerly uncharted waters.

The album opens with the obligatory instrumental introductory track, The Abandonment of Hope, which fortunately fits the atmosphere and the title of the album suitably, with the progression of the rhythm guitars and the almost-sorrowful lead guitar line at the foreground, breeding an ominous mood, unlike the many bands that have an instrumental intro for the sake of it.

With The Incorruptibles, the band wastes no time with the relentless blasting of drummer David (also of Borknagar) and black metal guitar riffs that could easily come out of Finnish black metal bands like Sargeist. However, the appearance of vocalist Chad instantly removes all hopes of this being yet another usual black metal album (which is certainly a good thing), with his almost undecipherable low, guttural growls, more fitting of brutal death metal bands. Chad alternates between such growls and shrieks throughout the record, and at times the two styles are layered on top of each other, providing a fuller sound effect, raping the ears of the listener without mercy. Emotions of the songs are displayed not only through the music but also through the way Chad sings out the lyrics, such as on Cry to Heaven, sounding almost like a desperate plea.

Guitarists Jason and Jonathan also experiment with various styles of guitar playing, such as on The Incorruptibles, with the extravagant play on the whammy bar on the solo towards the end of the track, invoking a scene of chaos. The drumming of David is certainly a nice touch to Skeleton Key as he blasts his way through with speed and precision. The inclusion of numerous sound samples throughout the album also help to keep the anticipation up, especially on The Birth of Tragedy.

What is interesting on the album is the vast amount of influences that the band has put into the music, not limited only to black and death metal. Songs like Cry to Heaven include riffs and lead guitar lines that could have easily fit on a folk metal album. There is also the chaotic, Slayer-esque solo on The Vatican Orgies, filled with rage and anger. The brutal vocals and the at times start-stop riffing make it sound more like a brutal death metal song instead. Chad further displays his vocal range on Christ's Sword, leaning more towards a punk/thrash metal shout at times, yet at the same song the solos feel more melodic death metal-inspired. But fans of black metal fret not, as the black metal influences are constantly present on the album through the generally cold and bleak riffing guitarists Jason and Jonathan.

Also, to ensure the full experience of the album, the lyrics are a necessity, with thought-provoking lines written by Chad and many references that show that the band has indeed done their homework and is not here to just scream brainless blasphemous lyrics.

Despite the quality of the music on the album, there are few riffs that actually left a mark and impression on me, resulting in the listener having to go back to the album repeatedly to refresh the memory of what Skeleton Key sounds like. Don't be put off by this though, as repeated listens have proven to be fruitful with new discoveries with each new listen.