### Genocide Shrines: Devanation monumentemples

#### 22/10/12 || gk

In the last few years it feels like death metal bands from outside of the Americas and Europe have started to develop their own distinct and unique sounds and identity. Australia and New Zealand come to mind with a plethora of original sounding death metal bands all plying their brutal wares but the sickness has spread across eastern and southern Asia. With quality bands coming out of the Indian subcontinent, it was only a matter of time before Sri Lanka came to the party and Genocide Shrines have enough potential to put this island nation and its growing extreme metal scene on the world map.

“Devanation monumentemples” opens with a short intro that is made up of what sounds like bells and prayer chants at a temple before proper album opener and title song rips through the speakers with considerable power. The song melds up tempo old school blast beat driven death metal with more mid paced riffing to great effect and sets the stage nicely for what’s to come. “Apparitions of spiritual obliteration” starts slow with a great crushing opening riff and looks all set to follow a doom-death template before the song takes off in the second half. The vocals here are particularly impressive and help lifting the song especially during the faster section. “Shivatandaviolence” starts with a sample of Oppenheimer’s famous quote from the Bhagvad Gita and is one sick and twisted beast of a song. The riffing reminds me of Autopsy at times but again it’s the vocals which alternate between a deep growl and a slightly harsher approach that really helps to once again lift this song from the average into something impressive. Nectars of tantric violence is some very nicely done chaotic death metal and closes this short release in impressive fashion.

Not everything is perfect on “Devanation monumentemples”. The recording often gives a slightly murky and at times muffled sound to the guitars and the drum sound isn’t the greatest in the world. However, the quality of these songs is undeniable. Genocide Shrines sound like a band that is well on its way to crafting their own unique identity.

Genocide Shrines comes closest to the raw and evil atmosphere of bands like Muknal and Venus Star which is basically old school death metal but with emphasis on a slightly blackened atmosphere. In fact a 3 way split with the 2 afore mentioned bands would be a pretty pleasing prospect. I’d even say that in terms of low end death metal rumbling, the band sounds a bit similar to New Zealand’s Witchrist except that this Sri Lankan quartet does it better. For now though, remember the name Genocide Shrines and seek out this debut release. If you’re even slightly interested in some nasty old school death metal then you won’t be disappointed.

- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Cyclopean Eye Productions
- Website: Genocide Shrines Facebook
- Band
- Tridenterrorcult: vocals
- NarkotikPerversor: guitars
- Khaoshiva: bass
- BlasphemousWarGoat: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Pillar I (Entrance)
- 02. Devanation Monumentemple
- 03. Apparitions of Spiritual Obliteration
- 04. Pillar II (Submission)
- 05. Shivatandaviolence
- 06. Nectars of Tantric Murder
- 07. Pillar III (Discipline)