### Excommunicated: Skeleton key

#### 29/12/11 || cadenz

“Skeleton Key” is the debut full-length of US black/death metallers Excommunicated. Apparently they have a tad different lyrical spin to things, concentrating on the dark medieval history of the Catholic church and sporting song titles like “The Incorruptibles”, “The Vatican Orgies” and “Christ’s Sword”. The music itself is pretty good oldish-sounding death metal with varying tempos, harsh growls, a brutal atmosphere and some eerie, blackish melodies. The passion and integrity is easily detectable, but some of the arrangements and execution could’ve been looked over a few extra times. I’m not talking about streamlining shit, the rawness found on “Skeleton Pee” is certainly refreshing, but some parts would have benefited from a little tighter playing and maybe some more imaginative chordal work than mere power chords.

7/10: Looking forward to the sophomore disc, hopefully the Louisianans will take a step forward and prove they are worth of taking note.