NECRONOMICON - THE SACRED MEDICINES - SKYSCRAPER
Necronomicon albums do not appear too often, but they are seemingly real treats when they do. The Montreal-based band is a suitable choice for the many who liked earlier Morbid Angel and have grown disenchanted with the Americans lack of energy and intensity as of late. Within the context of an album all about spiritual healing, the trio delivers clean and well-played metal that is fast, heavy and well-constructed. The vocals are fierce, the guitars clear and the solos brilliant. The rest of the band does an admirable job delivering the metallic goods as well. Nevertheless, the band has included one too many instrumental intros and could have incorporated rhythm guitars of more complexity and better construct. That is what one gets with a band whose sole guitarist is also the singer though. Having said that, The Sacred Medicines is a great choice for fans of the heavier end of the spectrum. - Ali "The Metallian"