Benediction The Grand Leveller

Benediction 'The Grand Leveller' (Nuclear Blast, 1991)

Benediction are the type of band who have always been the bridesmaid. Despite releasing records at the pinnacle of the death metal explosion, touring extensively with Atheist, Nocturnus, Asphyx and most importantly Death, their name has never had the cachet of their more revered contemporaries. Benediction have also been seen over the years as a little brother to Bolt Thrower and they have cemented this relationship through touring in the past and more recently appearing on the bill whenever Bolt Thrower do 'special' gigs like the recent Boltfest.

Benediction are probably most famous for providing Napalm Death with their long time vocalist Barney Greenway. Dave Ingram replaced Barney and reproduces the Kam Lee worship almost note for note on this recording. In a further tie in with Bolt Thrower, after Dave left Benediction in 1998 he joined his war obsessed buddies and recorded 'Honour, Valour, Pride' in 2001.

Dave Ingram was a bit of an ironic hero to Pringle and I. He looks hilarious in massive Dennis Taylor specs, a hideous thrash tache and an Impulse Manslaughter t shirt. Such a hero was he to us that I even bought an Impulse Manslaughter record based on his 'look' on this record. He looked ridiculous and they sounded ridiculous, what a combination!

Benediction made a great splash in Edinburgh when they played a three band bill at the Venue with Malediction (metallers don't do irony, OK?) and Edinburgh's own Inversus. What a gig that was with Pringle, The Mighty Gorgoroth, Johnny and Matt wiping the floor with their more established counterparts. I still have the garish bright yellow fluorescent poster for that gig which I might have to hunt out after writing this.

'The Grand Leveller' is a perfect example of what Benediction are good at; mid paced, no thrills, solid meat and two veg death metal. Benediction are not an original band; they mix a heavy dose of Massacre and 'Leprosy' era Death to an enjoyable but uninspiring effect. Everything, from the pinched harmonics ('Finches' or 'Falsies'), to the turgid/safe rhythm section to the corpse grinding 'Vokills' reeks of Massacre. Not a particularly bad thing, but not done to the same levels experienced on 'From Beyond' or 'Leprosy' (which was basically Massacre with Chuck Schuldiner). Even Karl Willetts, from Bolt Thrower, shock, horror, phones in some vocals on 'Jumping at Shadows' which somehow adds to the second division feel to the record rather than enhances it.

Benediction are exactly the same live, even now with new vocalist Dave Hunt; a middle of the road, middle of the bill band who garner affection for being so dyed in the wool old school, but elicit little more than polite applause.

Solid and dependable but nowhere near the standard of the bands they aspire to be on the same level as.

Peace