ALBUM REVIEW: Deceiver – Khemmis

Colorado’s KHEMMIS have risen to the top of an effervescent underground scene, where the likes of WAYFARER, PRIMITIVE MAN and BLOOD INCANTATION bubble and simmer. Their pre-eminence is both unsurprising and undeniable. They combine traditional heavy-metal-isms and doom sensibilities with their regional speciality for thick, lustrous tones to create something with near-universal appeal. It’s a satisfying formula and, with just three albums under their belt, something which they have quickly mastered. Absolution, Hunted and Desolation have (deservedly) earned their fair share of accolades, routinely ranking highly in album of the year lists, and turning KHEMMIS into greatly sought-after touring companions for North America’s metal vanguard. Deceiver arrives in an atmosphere of high expectations and heated anticipation for the power trio, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the band on Nuclear Blast Records.

Let’s dispense with the obvious. KHEMMIS know what they are doing when it comes to making a masterful metal album. From the very start Deceiver exudes the confidence of a band with twice their experience, and Avernal Gate is really just the appetizer. Front and centre is the vocal powerhouse of Phil Pendergast who, without exaggeration, must possess one of the best clean styles in contemporary metal: reminiscent of Messiah Marcolin, minus the melodrama. His singing leads the twin guitars, which slip between traditional noodling and dense barrage with apparent ease.

KHEMMIS have always had a latent progressive approach to songcraft, and they have finally let that loose here. In tandem with the vocal focus, fans of old could find Deceiver to be distinctly less ‘riffy’ than the first three albums. That galloping pace à la HIGH ON FIRE has gone missing, and with it a lot of the momentum. Deceiver is built differently to Desolation, and what you can hear are three talented musical minds working out this new approach in real-time. Deceiver’s artwork reprises the visual language of heavy metal high fantasy: an eye of Sauron analogue looms over water-logged beasts in pursuit of Geralt a nameless warrior, facing his demonic reflection in the inky pool. There’s a definite darkness in the imagery which belies KHEMMIS’ change in tone on this album.

Deceiver finds its feet by Living Pyre which fully commits to the traditional doom vibe, and sports the only sing-along chorus you’ll find here. The lead single prepares the ground nicely for Shroud Of Lethe, which takes on a brooding and contemplative feel, and also features the heaviest passage KHEMMIS have put to wax. The redeeming middle of Deceiver peters out by Obsidian Crown, but closing piece The Astral Road really marks the epitome of KHEMMIS new dark and sprawling approach. It’s not the kind of song you’ll be humming to yourself afterwards, but sits in the lineage of those more progressive heavy metal album finishers which IRON MAIDEN made their signature.

After releasing three irresistible but rather safe albums, it seems only right that KHEMMIS have chosen to transform their approach for album four. Progressive with a small ‘p’, but still heavy metal in block capitals, Deceiver strikes a balance between continuity and change. This album is much more about languorous, dark atmosphere than it is about memorable hooks and driving momentum, and you can all but hear KHEMMIS figuring this out as they go. Unexpected and at times uncomfortable, but still delivered to the utmost standard, Deceiver is likely to have a mixed reception.

Rating: 7/10

Deceiver is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.

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