When you're a fan of traditional blasphemous Brutal Death Metal, VITAL REMAINS are a band you want to love; when it comes to dishing out demonic anti-religion rampages, insane speed and technicality, and an unusual amount of texturing with the help of powerful melodic solos, this is the first band to roll off many people's tongues. And in light of a masterwork such as their 2003 album "Dechristianize", it's not so difficult to classify the guys in VITAL REMAINS as, well, Icons Of Evil.

And what with the core band consisting of just two ridiculously talented musicians - Dave Suzuki (drums, lead guitar and backing vocals) and Tony Lazaro (rhythm guitars and bass) - the composition of 7-10 minute songs literally overflowing with furious, unhinged brutality through searing guitar savagery and mind numbing blast beat onslaughts, plus some effective polarization via frequent chill inducing melodic soloing is an achievement unto itself. And of course, bringing in the most notorious blasphemer of all time - Glen Benton of DEICIDE - on vocals has proven to be a further means to an end.

But something seems to have been lost along the way. Whereas songs like "Devoured Elysium" and "At War With God" from the "Dechristianize" album are prime examples of how fluidly and expertly this band can deliver 8 or so minute anthems of brutality (which usually weigh in at less than 3 minutes with any other band) without boring the hell out of the listener, "Icons Of Evil" isn't as capable of escaping that monotony. The record is not without its strong points-VITAL REMAINS are as heavy, blasphemous, and brutal as ever, and Suzuki's melodic solo work is still a wonder to behold (as is evidenced in stand outs like the title track and "Scorned").

But this time around the extreme length of the songs and the album as a whole exacts a much heavier toll on the listener, throwing too many blast beats at you for far too long, and though the songwriting is far from weak, the exorbitant amount of chaos they spread over nearly 70 minutes of relentless Death insanity is a bit too taxing. For once, the potent melodic soloing is not quite enough to give the music the full distinction it needs to avoid bleeding from one song into another without a full sense of independence, leaving the listener wondering which song they're even listening to at a given time. This kind of album length - while appreciated from a perspective of getting more "bang for your buck" - is usually only effective with the help of more distinct diversity, ala bands like OPETH and TOOL. VITAL REMAINS themselves have proven that it's possible using Brutal Death Metal as a successful vehicle for such epic aspirations - "Dechristianize" is ample proof of that - but "Icons Of Evil" is also proof that you can't win 'em all.