Deicide

Born in Tampa, Florida in the late 1980s, Deicide belongs to the first wave of American death metal, noted for fast riffs, aggressive rhythms and openly antireligious themes. Initially formed under the name Amon around bassist–vocalist Glen Benton and drummer Steve Asheim, the band adopted the name Deicide in 1989 and released a self-titled debut in 1990, followed by Legion (1992) and Once Upon the Cross (1995). These records established a sound built on layered, razor‑sharp guitars, often very high tempos and direct guttural vocals. Deicide later moved toward a slightly more melodic approach on Serpents of the Light (1997) and The Stench of Redemption (2006), featuring more worked-out solos while remaining rooted in a frontal death metal. Successive lineup changes around the Benton–Asheim core did not alter the band’s aesthetic line, and they have continued to record regularly, notably with To Hell with God (2011), In the Minds of Evil (2013), Overtures of Blasphemy (2018) and Banished by Sin (2024). Still linked to the Tampa death metal scene, Deicide has performed since the 1990s on international club and festival circuits, maintaining a sonic identity centered on rhythmic brutality and an avowed satanic imagery.