Divine Empire - Method of Execution (2005)

   Even though the once legendary Floridan scene is already history, it didn't disappear completely. Some good bands showing up from time to time, but of course not in the same amount like before.
   Divine Empire was always known about their affection to raw brutality and insane speed. By their latest album "Method of Execution" the band arrived to the top of their musical ambitions and did something extraordinary. It was the same compromiseless intense death metal massacre that was usual from the band, but by paying more attention, some new features could be discovered that made their music more colorful. Their themes became a bit more diverse and they experimented with involving other styles. For instance the classic orchestra in the first song may not seem to serve more than a dramatic start. But when instrumental latin harmonies appearing in a prelude song and the same line they continued by invloving into "Storm of Hatred", it's reasonable to think about something else than a simple contrast play. Occasionally interrupting short heavy metal solos in the middle of a brutal death hammering might sound refreshing, but also uncommon. Not to mention the closing instrumental song that may better fit to some stoner rock album. By these and other tiny parts they made "Method of Execution" enjoyable and more entertaining than it could be expected form a brutal death band. And the band did this without turning progressive or technical, so these acts couldn't serve as references to the late came trends of extreme metal.