Review by JD on May 31, 2012.

The many varieties of metal still blow me clear away, even though I have been around it and play in it for many years. It just shows that metal has the talent pool and total dedication to their art to match up with any style you want to throw at it. People try to write its epitaph many times, saying that it is clinically dead yet we never disappear, but rise like the Phoenix to be powerful once again.

Stonehaven is a Viking/Black Metal outfit that is not from the frozen climbs of Scandinavia, but comes out of Kansas City, Kansas. With that said, they do make some pretty good music. Powerful and brash, this band gives textbook Viking folklore with the hinting of Paganism and Satanism throughout.

In listening to all eight tracks, it is good basic Viking metal, with a hint of something original that is lurking inside of the music - yet never surfaces. What you are left is pretty good but average Viking music. It is not bad on the surface, but with the band never getting that shot of originality that is hinted at every turn on the CD , it never rises over the averageness, even though I suspect there could be much more than what had been recorded.

Stonehaven is good - but the fact of the matter is that they don’t stand out from the crowd and never quite find the balance in the formula that would get them to that next level. Hope on their next album they finally do. I will look forward to hearing that one too, cause then they just might blow my fucking mind.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 5
Originality: 5
Overall: 5

Rating: 5.4 out of 10

Review by JD on May 31, 2012.

The many varieties of metal still blow me clear away, even though I have been around it and play in it for many years. It just shows that metal has the talent pool and total dedication to their art to match up with any style you want to throw at it. People try to write its epitaph many times, saying that it is clinically dead yet we never disappear, but rise like the Phoenix to be powerful once again.

Stonehaven is a Viking/Black Metal outfit that is not from the frozen climbs of Scandinavia, but comes out of Kansas City, Kansas. With that said, they do make some pretty good music. Powerful and brash, this band gives textbook Viking folklore with the hinting of Paganism and Satanism throughout.

In listening to all eight tracks, it is good basic Viking metal, with a hint of something original that is lurking inside of the music - yet never surfaces. What you are left is pretty good but average Viking music. It is not bad on the surface, but with the band never getting that shot of originality that is hinted at every turn on the CD , it never rises over the averageness, even though I suspect there could be much more than what had been recorded.

Stonehaven is good - but the fact of the matter is that they don’t stand out from the crowd and never quite find the balance in the formula that would get them to that next level. Hope on their next album they finally do. I will look forward to hearing that one too, cause then they just might blow my fucking mind.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 5
Originality: 5
Overall: 5

Rating: 5.4 out of 10

Review by JD on May 31, 2012.

The many varieties of metal still blow me clear away, even though I have been around it and play in it for many years. It just shows that metal has the talent pool and total dedication to their art to match up with any style you want to throw at it. People try to write its epitaph many times, saying that it is clinically dead yet we never disappear, but rise like the Phoenix to be powerful once again.

Stonehaven is a Viking/Black Metal outfit that is not from the frozen climbs of Scandinavia, but comes out of Kansas City, Kansas. With that said, they do make some pretty good music. Powerful and brash, this band gives textbook Viking folklore with the hinting of Paganism and Satanism throughout.

In listening to all eight tracks, it is good basic Viking metal, with a hint of something original that is lurking inside of the music - yet never surfaces. What you are left is pretty good but average Viking music. It is not bad on the surface, but with the band never getting that shot of originality that is hinted at every turn on the CD , it never rises over the averageness, even though I suspect there could be much more than what had been recorded.

Stonehaven is good - but the fact of the matter is that they don’t stand out from the crowd and never quite find the balance in the formula that would get them to that next level. Hope on their next album they finally do. I will look forward to hearing that one too, cause then they just might blow my fucking mind.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 6
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 5
Originality: 5
Overall: 5

Rating: 5.4 out of 10

Review by Faithless on June 3, 2020.

Blasphemed Betrayal by the North American band Dismembered Carnage is an orgy of blasphemous incantations against stablish Christian/Catholic religion. First image that came to my mind after spinning the CD was “These guys worship Deicide big time” and we all know that there is a very thin line between worshipping a band and being a rip off. Not the case here but let's find out more.

It is very obvious that Dismembered Carnage drinks directly from the unholy fountain of Mr. Benton and company. 'As Jesus Burns' emulates riffs, grooves and more than everything the infamous layered vocals where gutturals meet harsh to increase the blasphemous feeling. 'Denial of Christ' reminds the very best moments of "Serpents Of The Light" and "Legion", guitar passages that deserve some attention from the listener. 'Pastor of Disease' is another example of the evident source of inspiration for Dismembered Carnage, even the guitar tone is comparable to the one of the Hoffman brothers’ bests. In general, the band is always in an attack pose, however, something caught my attention in songs like 'Your Lord Dismembered', 'The Unholy Crucifixion' and 'Devour in the Tomb'. In the tracks previously mentioned, the band engraves their personal style. A mid-tempo groovy feeling that spices up the experience and wash away a little bit the Deicide taste in my mouth. In my opinion, the songs are well written, most of them loyal to the most brutal and sacrilegious style of death metal. Concept wise, the record gravitates around blasphemy and profane topics that by now are cliché in the genre. For instance, 'Rape the Priest', a classic no brainer track title to take the easy way into composing a death metal song.

Nonetheless, the band does not fall short in brutality, the fact that they homage a highly iconic band does not mean we are witnessing the worst of the worst here. As I said before, songs are well written and in general the album manages to entertain and bring good memories from glorious moments of death metal. I will also give some extra points for the front cover that doesn't disappoint any headbanger and metal freak, an apocalyptic landscape at its best.

Final words, Blasphemed Betrayal by Dismembered Carnage is a brutal copycat in the good sense of the expression no offense to the band or fans, I just want to point out the obvious references that come to light. Trick or betrayed!!

Rating: 6.5 out of 10