New appearance for Death SS!
Who doesn’t know Death SS? Despite a troubled history dating back to 1977, the Italian band led by iconic vocalist Steve Sylvester, and now completed by Freddy Delirio (keyboards), Ghiulz (guitar, Bulldozer), Demeter (bass, Whiskey Ritual), Unam Talbot (drums, Bulldozer) and performers Dahlila and Jessica, is still standing and offers us in 2025 its eleventh album, The Entity.
We start with Ave Adonai, whose introduction would be perfect for any B-movie horror flick, before becoming more energetic, welcoming heavy riffs followed by ominous vocal parts. The two worlds blend perfectly, and the keyboards naturally embellish the rhythm and backing vocals, as on Justified Sinner, which adopts majestic, almost religious tones, creating an interesting contrast with the catchy chorus that smacks of Glam a mile away. The band stays with the angst and effective riffs with Possession and its steady rhythm, then Dr. Jekyll Sister Hyde returns to its danceable, driving tones after a very short break signed by a sampled voice, and we quickly realize that the track has everything to be one of the next anthems. The final gives us a chance to breathe before moving on to the macabre Two Souls, with its heady keyboards combined with a highly motivating riffing, before Out To Get Me establishes itself as the power ballad, with its gentle touches combined with unifying choruses. Back to energetic sounds with Hell Is Revealed, but keyboards once again add that tasty retro touch, then back to gentleness on Love Until Death, which becomes the second power ballad and also features some female backing vocals to reinforce the obvious melancholy. The band picks up the pace again with The Whitechapel Wolf and its horrific additions to the simple but heady riffs that match the vocalist’s energy so well, but the rhythm mellows again with The Evil Painter and its tortured leads. Keyboards are also very much in evidence, although they initially play a more discreet role on Cemeteria, allowing the other musicians time to develop a disquieting dynamic coupled with screeching harmonics, before Evil Never Dies adds a final epic touch to the album, combining a Dunjonesque atmosphere with renewed Thrash influences.
With The Entity, it’s safe to say that Death SS are still committed to their Old School sound, and aren’t afraid to venture down sinuous, terrifying paths to create their riffs! The band still knows how to wield its weapons!
80/100