Album Of The Day-Bible Of The Devil-"The Diabolic Procession" (2006)

Sorry I didn't post an Album Of The Day yesterday, I wasn't at home all day. But for those of you anxiously awaiting, I have chosen "The Diabolic Procession" by Bible Of The Devil as today's Album Of The Day. I know, not the best day to feature an album with so many satanic overtones, but it rocks nonetheless. Check it!



Reviews:

This may seem like a superfluous observation when it comes to any hard rock or heavy metal group, but Chicago's Bible of the Devil are a guitar band, first and foremost. Yes, their fourth album, 2006's The Diabolic Procession, boasts nine, notably well crafted heavy metal anthems, all conceived under an intriguing thematic umbrella based on the Children's Crusade; but even these, undoubtedly crucial qualities, still serve supporting roles behind the record's true protagonists: the pair of Gibson Flying Vs imaginatively wielded by Mark Hoffman and Nate Perry. Armed with an enviable command of both rhythm and lead playing, the duo clearly looks up to metal's long line of legendary twin guitar tandems — Judas Priest's Tipton and Downing; Iron Maiden's Murray and Smith; hometown heroes Trouble's Franklin and Wartell — for inspiration, as they propel memorable tracks like "Sepulchre," "Judas Ships," and the much-too-brief opening onslaught of "Ecclesia Novorum Innocentium," towards the head-banging promised land. They also partner up for some distinctive harmony vocals on the chorus of "Orphans of Doom," elicit more memories of Maiden with "Millenialism's" tightly woven twin harmonies over galloping bass, bring it down for an AC/DC-like mid-section in "The Elusive Miracle," and build towards a rousing, epic finale on the heroic "Slaves." In sum, The Diabolic Procession sees Bible of the Devil using conceptual elements merely to bolster the flavors of a truly timeless record, because their fundamental recipe is already doing heavy metal's guitar-centric legacy proud. (Eduardo Rivadavia, AMG)

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These guys always deliver. Whether it's a guided tour through your catalog of classic rock and bridge metal albums, or just an immersing rock n' roll experience you seek; Bible of the Devil ceaselessly reward.

Since this band stepped into the scene a few years back with Firewater at my Command, their brand of fluid, dancing rock n' roll has been too eloquent, too ambitious, and too smart and striving to be slapped with the revivalist tag. However, each song is informed by a record collection just as comprehensive as all the rock nerds that live and die for this kind of stuff. And, in turn, they each offer up moments where you can point at your stereo and scream, "Oh that's right out of Killers!" or "This is just what Blue Oyster Cult would sound like if they ever got a decent production." I won't list all the greats this band culls inspiration from, because there isn't the room for all I know, and there are probably twice as many I haven't ever heard of. If real, guitar driven rock music had remained a viable commercial commodity past 1975, Bible of the Devil would be probably playing on your radio, and touring with the latest incarnation of Saxon.

But, what makes BotD such a satisfying listen for metal fans is their aspiration to be more than just competent nostalgia-rock outfit. This group isn't just paying tribute, but making monuments of their own. "Sepulchre" is a hurricane of twin guitar melodies that's driven by a pulsing, single minded rock beat. "Orphans of Doom" is undeniably a heavy metal tune, that bristles with the kind of epic majesty that bands like Slough Feg and Brocas Helm admirably devote entire careers to making. The brief solo that blindsides this track at around 3:25 is evidence of a band that has a lot of tools in their bag, and isn't afraid to pull them all out on every song. "Slaves," the longest and final track, is a ballad that displays subtle, diverse influences spanning from Sabbath to Skynyrd then resolves with some Tipton/Downing style tag-team riffing.

Get into this album you'll be rewarded by mountains of confident guitar work, a reckless and free rhythm section, a sense of songwriting that attempts to build on the style, rather than settling for a rocking holding pattern. (Dave Fonseca, MetalReview.com)

Track Listing:

01. Ecclesia Novorum Innocentium
02. Sepulchre
03. Orphans of Doom
04. Millenialism (MP3)
05. Legions of the Oriflamme
06. The elusive Miracle
07. Heinous Corpus
08. Judas Ships (MP3)
09. Slaves

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