Review : HYPOCRISY – “A Taste of Extreme Divinity”

Hypocrisy – A Taste of Extreme Divinity
released November 3, 2009 on Nuclear Blast

Hypocrisy have been one of the most prolific bands from the ’90s Swedish death metal scene. They’ve never really followed the trends, though. When the melodeath thing started, they were following more in Cannibal Corpse‘s footsteps than In Flames. Later, when they finally transitioned to become more melodic, the scene was beginning to die down and their sound wasn’t quite the mainstream metal being practiced by At the Gates and the like. Now, they are still avoiding the airwaves despite a 4-year absence, their longest break between albums.

A Taste of Extreme Divinity is certainly a solid album. Nothing on here is revolting. It all sounds good. However, it’s still nothing extraordinary. If you can recall their 2005 album Virus, it’s just about on par with that, though it is a tad bit more dynamic. “Valley of the Damned” (been listening to DragonForce maybe?) opens up the album with some strong thrash riffs and driving blast beats while “Weed Out the Weak” and “Taste the Extreme Divine” begin and end the middle of the album with some drum work that is clearly influenced by the black metal of their neighbors in Norway.

If any band can still put out decent melodeath, it’s Hypocrisy. Many of their brethren have either fallen, been poppified, or just can no longer write good songs. However, that isn’t the case here. You won’t find too many classics, but every song will make you pump your fist and band your head. That’s really all you need from a metal album, is it not?

FCC OK
Try 1, 3, 4, 7, 10

01. Valley of the Damned
02. Hang Him High
03. Solar Empire
04. Weed Out the Weak
05. No Tomorrow
06. Global Domination
07. Taste the Extreme Divine
08. Alive
09. The Quest
10. Tamed (Filled With Fear)
11. Sky’s Falling Down

Rating: