UMUR "Theodicy" is the 4th full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Deivos. The album was released through Selfmadegod Records in February 2015. It´s the successor to "Demiurge of the Void" from 2011.

"Theodicy" is stylistically a continuation but also a development of the brutal technical death metal style of the Deivos preceding releases. They are one of the more creative and original acts in the genre, and their adventurous songwriting approach and playing style are not toned down on "Theodicy". On the contrary they push and challenge the boundaries of their brutal technical death metal sound even further on this album. They use quite a few unusual elements and the song structures are complex and could at times even be described as progressive. "Theodicy" is loaded with powerful, sharp, and brutal riffs, intriguing lead guitar work, and creative drumming. The growling vocals are on the other hand relatively regular sounding for the style (although in the more intelligible end of the spectrum).

Drummer Krzysztof Saran is not only a higly technically skilled drummer, but a lot of the unusual and creative songwriting ideas also come from his playing. He is an absolute beast on those drums and his playing here deserves praise...and lots of it. The rest of the band are very well playing too, but it´s predominantly the drumming (and the creative songwriting) which makes Deivos stand out on a scene, which is overcrowded by acts with little to no identity or uniqueness.

"Theodicy" features a powerful and raw sounding production job, which may be a little less savage than the brutal sound productions on the predecessors, but instead features a higher level of details and clarity. Upon conclusion "Theodicy" is a high quality release by Deivos. So if you crave something really brutal and technical but still memorable, original, and creative "Theodicy" comes highly recommeded. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

UMUR "Demiurge of the Void" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Deivos. The album was released through Unique Leader Records in September 2011. It´s the successor to "Gospel of Maggots" from 2010. Since the predecessor bassist/vocalist Jarosław Pieńkoś has left and has been replaced by bassist Kamil Stadnicki and lead vocalist Hubert Banach (also known under his charming stage name Angelfuck).

"Demiurge of the Void" continues the brutal technical death metal style of its direct predecessor but as a result of the production choices, it´s a more raw and filthy sounding release than "Gospel of Maggots (2010)". It´s incredibly intense music with a very high brutality factor. Deep unintelligble growling vocals, fast precision drumming (with quite creative use of cymbals), and fast and brutal riffs are some of the ingredients of the band´s sound. In many ways the epitome of the brutal technical death metal style, but Deivos generally have a little more to offer than your average band in the genre. The many tempo changes, use of brutal grooves, and especially the adventurous drumming, make Deivos stand out a little.

To most ears "Demiurge of the Void" will probably sound like most other brutal technical death metal releases though, but it is definitely an album where it´s worth investigating the details. While Deivos typically shine when they try something a little different from the norm of the genre, there are also sections on the album, which are very standard for the genre. Both in terms of songwriting ideas and quality. One of those features are the vocals, which are as standard as they get in this genre. They are relatively well performed, but they add very little to the music and more distinct sounding growling vocals, could pretty surely have elevated the album to a higher state. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Gospel of Maggots" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Deivos. The album was released through Unique Leader Records in February 2010. It´s the successor to "Emanation From Below" from 2006, so it´s been a few years since the release of the predecessor. Considering how many years it took from the band´s formation in 1997 until they released "Emanation From Below (2006)", four years really aren´t that many though. The four-piece lineup who recorded the predecessor is still intact on "Gospel of Maggots".

The material on the 10 track, 32:38 minutes long album continue the brutal technical death metal style of "Emanation From Below (2006)". It´s brutal, energetic, and powerful sounding death metal played by a skilled act. Especially drummer Krzysztof "Wizun" Sapan is an incredible skilled and also quite creative musician. I don´t think I´ve ever heard a brutal technical death metal release featuring as adventurous use of cymbals and cowbell as Sapan treats the listener to on "Gospel of Maggots". His playing on this album elevates the music to a level beyond what most similar acts/releases are able to deliver. The rest of the band are also very skilled musicians though, and they should definitely not be forgotten when praising the brutal assault and technical finésse of the instrumental part of the album. These guys can play fast and they can play heavy with equal amounts of conviction...

...none of which would have mattered if the material weren´t as well written, catchy, and powerful as the case is here. The unintelligible growling vocals by Jaroslaw Pieńkoś are not the most interesting growling vocals I´ve ever heard, and although he occasionally spices things up with some higher pitched aggressive screaming, the vocals are the weak link of the album. They get the job done, but that´s it. "Gospel of Maggots" features a powerful, brutal, and detailed sound production, so other than the relatively "standard for the genre" vocals, it´s a high quality brutal technical death metal release and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Emanation From Below" is the debut full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Deivos. The album was released through Empire Records in November 2006. Deivos were formed in 1997, so the album has been a long time coming, although the band released a demo in 1999 and the "Hostile Blood" EP in 2003. Since the release of "Hostile Blood (2003)", second guitarist Mścisław has been added to the lineup, making the band a four-piece on this album.

Stylistically the material on "Emanation From Below" continue the brutal technical death metal style from the "Hostile Blood (2003)" EP. Deivos are a very skilled and well playing band and their powerful and brutal approach is definitely one of the assets of the album. The songwriting is relatively varied and memorable for the genre, but it´s not exactly the most original sounding release. That´s not a major issue in any way though as Deivos fully make up for it with technically brilliant playing, interesting songwriting ideas (for example I think I hear a cowbell being used a couple of time during the playing time, and to great effect), and a primal raw power which isn´t matched by many. Sometimes it feels like being hit by a train in a frontal collision.

Featuring only 7 tracks and a full playing time of 31:43 minutes "Emanation From Below" is a short but effective release. In this case quality is prefered over quantity though, and Deivos understand how to make full use of the relatively short playing time, and there´s not a wasted second on the album. This is relentlessly brutal and hard edged. The instrumental part of the music is pretty impressive at times, while the predominatly unintelligible growling vocals are standard for the genre, and don´t bring that extra to the music, which a more unique vocal approach could have done.

"Emanation From Below" features a powerful, clear, and detailed sound production, which suits the material perfectly. The sound really helps enhance the power and brutality of the music, and considering that "Emanation From Below" is a debut release, Deivos have been really lucky to find a producer/engineer skilled enough to create such a powerful environment for their music to shine. Brutal technical death metal releases can sometimes be hit and miss affairs, but this one is definitely a hit. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "Hostile Blood" is an EP release by Polish death metal act Deivos. The EP was self-released in 2003. Deivos were formed in 1997 as a three-piece consisting of guitarists Tomasz Kolcon and Maciej Nawrocki and lead vocalist Marcin Gorniak. The three-piece released the "Praised by Generations" demo in 1999. On "Hostile Blood" the only remaining member from that lineup is guitarist Tomasz Kolcon. New in the lineup are drummer Krysztof Saran and bassist/lead vocalist Jaroslaw Pienkos.

Although "Praised by Generations (1999)" was recorded using programmed drums, it was actually a fairly decent death metal demo, showing what Deivos were capable off in their early incarnation. Nothing groudbreaking, but definitely a solid death metal demo release. Four years have passed but stylistically little has changed. The music on "Hostile Blood" is still brutal and technically well played death metal influenced by the early 90s death metal scene (the more brutal and technical artists from those days). The addition of a human drummer has provided the band´s sound with a little bit of an organic touch, which has elevated their music to a higher level. Other than that it´s business as usual in terms of death metal of this ilk. Deivos are a well playing act, but their music aren´t exactly unique sounding (at least at this point).

The sound production is raw, brutal, and unpolished, and while "Hostile Blood" is labelled an EP, it could just as well have been another demo release. The savage energy and brutality of the band are quite charming and upon conclusion it´s a solid release, but it´s not a release which stands out much. A 3 star (60%) rating is still warranted.