Nunslaughter

After 20 years of blood-soaked blasphemy, you'd think God would have hurled a lightning bolt at Nunslaughter by now, especially after dropping releases like Tasting the Blood of Your Savior. But here the death-metal band is, unrepentant and ready to thrash Christ one more time.

Hex is roughly the band's 666th release. The group manages to be prolific by spending little time on mixing. Of course, the basement sound quality only enhances the album's dungeon ambience.

Bassist Don of the Dead also sings. As far as death metal's Cookie Monster vocals go, his growl is palatable. He annunciates his lyrics, making it clear what kind of unholy mischief he's up to. Then again, with song titles like "I Hate Christians," intelligible lyrics aren't necessary.

Even more welcome is the lack of guitar wankery. The band's flayed punk backbone means it's not the same old death. From content to style, it's more hardcore.