Blasphemy Rites is a relatively unrecognized Death Metal band, hailing from Poland. Despite having formed in 1997, they have previously released only demos and Hideous Lord represents their first full-length release. Sadly, despite so many potential years in the making, it is unlikely to bring the band to a significantly wider audience.

The album is an assault on the senses and makes an impact while playing, though the songs aren't really memorable once it finishes. Vocalist Brzozak has a suitably raw delivery but his voice, like the songs and musicianship in general, is more average than impressive. The brutal, fast drumming by Menes provides the backdrop to each song, thick guitars storming alongside, breaking into occasional bursts of frenzied soloing. The performance and production are both solid but uninspiring and there is little variation between songs - with the exception of the opening track's rather obvious but still atmospheric intro of cattle sounds and female cries, nothing occurs to break up the relentless attack. Satan Bless You stands out easily as the best track on the album.

In the tradition of Death Metal, most of the songs skim the two-minute mark and the longest is just shy of four minutes long. The fifteen songs mean that the album doesn't outstay its welcome, which is a point in its favour. Lyrically, the band once again sticks to the Death Metal rules, praising the Devil and damning God in equal measure. The album art also adheres to tradition, featuring an artistic rendering of a cloven-hoofed Satan.

Hideous Lord is a decent entry to the huge wealth of Death Metal albums but if you're looking for a classic, stick to Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel and pass Blasphemy Rites by.

Score - 4.0 out of 10