When it comes to spreading the gospel of Satan there can be few who can claim to do it with such unbridled savagery and so passionately as Vital Remains. With Glen Benton fronting the Satanic Floridian stalwarts, it shouldn't come as a surprise however; but you would be hard pushed to spilt Deicide and Vital Remains in the 'who's evilest' stakes based upon current offerings.

"Icons Of Evil" is being touted as the bands "Reign In Blood", and has the unenviable task of trying to meet if not surpass the standards set by the bands previous, and hugely impressive "Dechristianize". So it's not like that expectations from the band and fans alike will be tough to meet (LOL). However in Tony Luzaro Vital Remains have a man who eats, sleeps and breaths the band, and knows exactly what it takes to produce a record worthy of carrying the bands name. The decision to enroll Erik Rutan to produce was a stroke of genius, as Erik has produced an album with such a tight sound that as you listen to it you can almost feel it garroting you; and for all those out there who questioned Benton's true religious believes need only to listen to the venomous deluge with which he delivers his vocals to know this mans heart is in the job at hand.

From the get go of the opening track "Where Is Your God Now", there is a sense of foreboding, a sense that a darkness is about to descend; an intro which consists of Jesus being flogged and nailed to the cross will do that to you. Then all hell breaks loose with title track "Icons Of Evil", which is comparable to being hit headlong by a wall of pure aggressive hate filled, brewed in the depths of hell, Death fucking Metal. Suzuki's drumming is truly awesome and at the heart of everything good about this record, and what is more impressive is when you consider he also contributed the entire lead guitar work and backing vocals to the album. This is old school and no mistake. We could be in early 1990's all over again, a sick cover, gruesome songs, shock value set to 100% and not for the uninitiated.