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Ironically, these things too shall pass. Even as Satanists. In closing 12 years of tenacity, the mutual pact between death metal demons Deicide and the Roadrunner label was one of heavy metal's most tumultuous, tho' beneficial, partnerships. The Florida band became one of the defining acts of death metal's initial era while Roadrunner was once synonymous with music's most barbaric noise.

In typical obstinate fashion, leader Glen Benton's parting shot is short 'n sweet (8 tracks, 31 minutes). While most of the blackness and brutality has shifted toward the atmospheric Scandinavian scene, Deicide has stubbornly hammered at their gruff, intense grind with workmanlike precision. In Torment In Hell rides on the rims of their hate-filled missives, confronting political neglect ("Worry In The House of Thieves") and spiritual conflicts ("Lurking Among Us") while sandblasting your lobes with jackhammer drumming, splintering guitar racket and Benton's patented garble.

While Torment doesn't hinder Deicide's onerous legacy (sounding just like the last few of the band's releases), it does summarize that this band pulls no punches with its controversial lyrics or searing sonics. Say what you will, Deicide is the granddaddy of them all and this disc is the work of a powerful patriarch.