Proof that sometimes a slow and gradual build is better than an explosive beginning that fades as quick as it arrived, De Profundis has been doing their thing for over 10 years. The Blinding Light of Faith is their fifth album to date, and continues their notable climb and progression. All while avoiding the most important part of any death metal release – brutality.
With an old school logo and cover art (at least in comparison to their last release, Kingdom of the Blind) in tow, the music doesn’t quite swing that way. While it does continue the timeless, European approach to death metal that the band has championed for years – it seems unfit to deem them to the ‘old school death metal bin.’ There’s also an almost equal amount of melodic and progressive stuff below the surface (think Edge of Sanity) that gives the band some added firepower for extended listening sessions. That’s not to say that De Profundis aren’t capable of claiming ‘wrecking ball’ status, as they can bring the destruction with the best of them, such as on the energetic “Godforsaken,” where some glorious solos share space with some bludgeoning riffs and explosive tempos. The balance between more melodic/progressive elements, more intricate structures, and barbaric energy is what gives De Profundis their distinct touch. It’s something that stands as the strongest the band has done to date, and the clear yet menacing production is a definite boost to the act.
Crisp, concise, and ever attacking in the right directions, De Profundis have managed to get their approach to death metal refined to razor-sharp status. There’s no excesses, no weaknesses, it’s just visceral material with just enough melody to keep you coming back for more.