Band:	Bible Of The Devil
Album:	The Diabolic Procession
Style:	Stoner metal
Release date:	2006
A review by:	GRIGAL

01. Ecclesia Novorum Innocentum
02. Sepulchre
03. Orphans Of Doom
04. Millenialism
05. Legions Of The Oriflamme
06. The Elusive Miracle
07. Heinous Corpus
08. Judas Ships
09. Slaves

Curiously-named Bible Of The Devil were a new name to me, so I was surprised when I discovered that the band's new album "The Diabolic Procession" is actually the fourth full-length of this quartet from Chicago. BOTD describe themselves as a "rock n' roll metal assault squad specialising in brutal, melodic, riff-driven rock n' roll metal anthems". For once, a band's own description proved correct.

"The Diabolic Procession" is lyrically inspired by 'The Children's Crusades' - a set of legends based in Mediaeval times. Intriguing stuff. Musically-speaking, a couple of factors make BOTD different from other Traditional Metal and Thrash bands. First is the rawness of their sound, imbued with a Punk-like aggression - the influence of Motörhead seems to lurk in the shadows of all these songs. Second are the abrasive vocals which strongly remind me of Steve Sousa (Exodus, Testament).

Apart from that, the format is quite traditional - mainly 4-5min. songs with choruses (read 'catchiness') and a vibe that instinctively makes you raise your fist and bang your head like you would do at any Metal party.

On the other hand I feel that their songs still lack a solid holistic identity for them to gel together well. Maybe the cause of my skepticism lies within the vocals or the songwriting, or maybe it's just due to the production adopted. Basically "The Diabolic Procession" hits you hard but it doesn't knock you out. The musical influences that here transpire give the band a range of possible areas in which to expand and develop their sound while somehow still holding on to their roots - and this is something cool.

This album has aroused enough interest in me to want to follow this band and see what it will come up with next. Until then, I guess "The Diabolic Procession" is a love it or hate it affair. I suggest that anyone unfamiliar with these Metal iconoclasts gives this CD at least one spin. Who knows?.you might end up in that half who'll love it.