Sermon From Death To Death (WILD RAGS) By: Jeb Branin SERMON are another band in that ever growing cadre of groups who have learned the lessons of both death and black metal and are combining the better qualities of both genres into a fresh new onslaught of destructive power.
From death metal they borrow their aggression, heaviness, energy and song structure. From black metal they get their epic proportions, screeched vocals, and broad sweeping sound. It certainly helps SERMON that they seem to be an accomplished and capable band. They play with class and are extremely tight, which is essential when playing music of this magnitude and diversity. They also impress me in their willingness to take chances and do the unexpected. Just when you think you've got your finger on the pulse of the band they will throw in a slow, melodic breakdown, or even an instrumental that is dominated by a jazz piano. The thorn in the side of black metal since its inception is the tendency generic sounding bands who lack any imagination... nobody could ever accuse SERMON of that.
