French extreme metal veterans Benighted return with "Icon", a blistering assault that showcases the band's evolution into one of death metal's most uncompromising forces. This album captures the raw intensity that has made them legends in the underground scene, delivering twelve tracks of pure sonic brutality that blend technical precision with an almost primal aggression. The production is crisp yet maintains that gritty edge that fans have come to expect, with each instrument cutting through the mix like a surgical blade.

 

The album's title track "Icon" serves as a perfect centerpiece, embodying everything that makes Benighted so compelling - the relentless blast beats, the throat-shredding vocals, and those crushing riffs that hit like a sledgehammer. Songs like "Complete Exsanguination" and "Pledge Of Retaliation" showcase their ability to craft memorable hooks within the chaos, while tracks such as "Human Circles" and "The Underneath" demonstrate their knack for atmospheric moments that provide brief respites before the next wave of devastation hits.

 

Side A :

1 Complete Exsanguination / 2 Slut / 3 Grind Wit / 4 Saw It All / 5 Forsaken / 6 Smile Then Bleed

 

Side B :

7 Pledge Of Retaliation / 8 Icon / 9 Human Circles / 10 Invoxhate / 11 The Underneath / 12 Blindfolded Centuries