Having heard little Immolation before Failures for Gods, this was really the first time I'd heard them. It was kind of hard to grasp at first through the odd (but good) production, but repeated listens revealed a treasure trove of brutal American death metal, which seems to be making a resurgence. Ross Dolan's vocals are guttural with a style all his own; Robert Vigna and Thomas Wilkinson churn out pulverizing, heavy memorable riffs; Alex Hernandez utilizes his own unique style of drumming, especially during the groove breaks, which are quite cool. Each song plays like a hymn for the damned, the lyrical theme being general anti-God/religion, but aren't really Satanic. It's basic death metal lyricism, but it's written so well it'll have you growling "Death to Jesus" right along with it.

Andreas Marschall's artwork and the layout really visualize the band's concept, making this album overall the epitome of death metal. There are touches of Morbid Angel and Incantation in Immolation's music as well as a lot of that brutal New York sound along with a good bit of technicality. Fans of true death metal will delight in Failure for Gods. Hail Immolation!

© 1999 goden