When I first encountered this band I though, for a very brief moment, that the band name was spelled wrong and that this was new material of the Hells Headbangers Records releasing artists from the Philippines, Deiphago. But this band really is called Deiphage, and they do hail from Sacramento, California, USA. But… musically, this could easily be both a Hells Headbangers Records recording artists as well as just Deiphago.
Straight after the intro of rattling machine guns and other ruckus, the band bursts into their explosive and barbaric violence in audial form. Deiphage is not, at all, into subtle melodies, well-crafted riffs or delicate song writing. On the very contrary. They serve themselves with grinding riffs, barking vocals and chaotic drums, together creating a wild and blistering frontal attack with the only aim to bash in your skull. And, to be brief, they are damn good at it too. Six short songs bursting with energy and brutality are unleashed on you in less than twenty minutes. It leaves little to be desired if you like to feed yourself with the least refined styles of extreme metal. Although, the leads are certainly not of an abominably bad (but still good) level as of, say, Blasphemy. Unlike those Canadians, one of the founders of this primal force, these Americans do seem to enjoy some musicianship. Especially in the somewhat faster Black Metal pieces, they do not manage to completely obscure their musical talent with their blind fury and aggression.
Still, as a lover of the coarsest stuff, mention Black Witchery, Proclamation, Teitanblood, Abysmal Lord and … Blasphemy, then you certainly can’t go wrong with Deiphage.
