Disgusting Blasphemies Against God

New York's Profanatica have been kicking about since the nineties, though after splitting up and getting back together again, the band have released one full-length and a whole glut of EPs, compilations and splits. After three years mucking about with short bursts of activity, the band – spearheaded by the somewhat famous Paul Ledney (of Incantation fame) – has returned with their sophomore effort, the lovely Disgusting Blasphemies Against God. As a Black Metal album this is certainly one of the dirtiest, most vile creations I've had the displeasure to experience, with a very bass-heavy production that is so muddy it makes you feel physically nauseated, and some rather bad vocal croaks that whisper despicable and contemptible manifestos while you're pummeled from all sides. Considering John Gelso's bass is so high in the mix (it is really the lead instrument here), at times this can sound rather Death Metal-esque, with a few rancid slurps of Grindcore slithering their way in as well.

Song titles such as "Black Cum", "Pious Piece Of Shit", and "Fuck The Blood Of The Lamb" should give you an indication of where Profanatica's lyrical sentiments lie, though hardly shocking, this kind of obvious and blackened blasphemy seems trite and rather humorous, though Ledney does have a habit of whispering the song titles before the tracks begin, reminding you of which track is which (you'd never know otherwise).

The production says it all, really; loud, offensive, and loathsome, Profanatica are selling a sickness to their listeners, but I'm afraid for me it's nothing more than an irritating cold.