I remember back in mid-1990s that there were upcoming bands with name Diabolic or Diabolical, or either one of them with another word in their name, and I was baffled (a weird fact is that this Diabolic is the only metal band carrying this exact name)... It was mainly printed zines to help a metalhead to find cool bands, and perhaps no accompanying cover CD to actually hear a band.

I recall this US death metal band called Diabolic appeared on pages of these unholy quires. I didn't go and order their stuff right away, but got some of it years and years later. Anyway, let's jumpm to now... I have a question, especially for all death-heads: Are you perhaps disdainful for newer Morbid Angel? Then, may I present you Diabolic and their debut album 'Supreme Evil' from mists of 1998?!

Diabolic do owe a lot to legendary Floridan swamp dwellers Morbid Angel, no doubt about it. This is pretty damn similar to 'Blessed Are the Sick' and 'Covenant' (1991 & 1993 respectively), even though not a carbon copy. Just check out the release year... Morbid Angel isn't the sole influence, of course, as this possesses a hefty resemblance to another Floridan death metal legend, anti-Christian Deicide, and their discography up to 1995, too. Again, not a bad thing to get inspired by. Okay, now guess where Diabolic hail from? Yep, from Florida! I bet these guys saw those two bands play live a lot, and maybe even played with them (couldn't confirm the latter matter). One thing must be plain already: Diabolic do not sound very unique, that's for sure.

Guitar riffs provided by Paul Ouellette and Brian Malone are heavy (sometimes palm muted) or sharper and shearing. At heaviest and most powerful, the guitar sounds like a bloody jet engine! Sometimes, only rarely, there is black metal style tremolo picking to be heard; 'Wicked Inclination' is basically a black metal song. The pace can get really fast. The lead guitar does sound like it was played backwards at times, just like Trey Azagthoth wanted his playing to sound like. There's similar tones and techniques utilized, from reverbed flute sounds to whammy bar use (causing really low sounds that could make the Earth crumble).

The drum beats of Aantar Coates are truly varying, but not as easily identified as Pete "Commando" Sandoval's playing. There are some weirder time signatures and loads of tempo and beat changes, from loads of double kick drumming up to blasting inferno. No triggered drums; they are still forcefully played, even though on fastest beats a bit less so. It sounds organic, human. Every instrument is skillfully played, no doubt, but the bass guitar (by Ed Webb) is not in the front like the drums and the guitars. Still, the album sounds brawny and breathing.

The vocals, then. It's a fantastic performance by Paul Ouellette! He growls with varying pitch; from really guttural low voice to demonic higher snarling and barking (David Vincent style right there!). There's no feebleness in his voice. I guess the lyrical content is clear? Anti-religious topics, demons and death, just like the Joe Petagno cover depicts. It's cool to have the lyrics printed, as the voice isn't very clear with pronunciation.

Generally, all changes in compositions make the songs constantly shifting and really vivacious, but definitely not disjointed. Successful surprise tactics are used. I grant there's no boring moment herein. 'Ancient Hatred', for example, is a full-on attack, while 'Dwelling Spirits' slithers and corrupts. There are some peculiar instrumental pieces here. Do I have to tell by who they were inspired by? Not fucking Jean-Michel Jarre, for sure!

So, 'Supreme Evil is a very potent platter of Floridan death metal. What it loses in its familiarity to other bands meantioned here, it wins in pure gusto it fully demonstrates. A very good album, this!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/16/2019 19:32