Incubus' Serpent Temptation is an absolute milestone in the history of death/thrash metal, and remains an influential record that continues to resonate with extreme metal enthusiasts. Released in 1988, this debut album captures the raw intensity of a band at the forefront of a genre in evolution, blending ferocious thrash rhythms with the guttural aggression of early death metal.
What makes Serpent Temptation stand out is the seamless integration of brutality and technicality. The riffs, razor-sharp and relentless, combine speed and precision that recall the urgency of thrash, but the intricate, sometimes chaotic, melodies veer into death metal territory. The guitar work, led by Francis M. Howard, is nothing short of electrifying. Whether he's unleashing blistering tremolo-picked passages or hammering out thick, crushing riffs, the duality of attack and groove gives this album a timeless, vicious appeal. The solos themselves range from melodic to downright insane, evoking the kind of chaos synonymous with bands like Slayer and Kreator.
Moyses M. Howard's drumming deserves special mention for its brutal yet methodical power. The drummer’s relentless speed complements the thrash beats with death metal-like blast sections, creating a dynamic balance that elevates the intensity of the music. The rhythms, though fast and unyielding, are also inventive, shifting gears with fluidity that keeps the tracks from feeling repetitive.
Lyrically, Serpent Temptation is as provocative as the music itself, offering a mixture of apocalyptic themes, religious commentary, and darker, more sinister reflections. While these lyrics might raise eyebrows with their bold, even controversial tone, they undoubtedly contribute to the album's dark atmosphere. The vocal delivery, snarling and impassioned, perfectly matches the ferocity of the music. Scott W. Latour’s style, while not overly powerful, is effective in conveying the rebellious, intense energy that the band sought to project.
From the opening track, "The Battle of Armageddon," to the closer, "Underground Killers," Serpent Temptation is an absolute masterclass in aggression and precision. Incubus (later known as Opprobrium) was ahead of its time, crafting a record that feels as fresh and intense today as it did upon its release. In an era dominated by thrash metal, they managed to carve out a sound that was simultaneously brutal, chaotic, and innovative, planting seeds for the death metal genre that would grow in the years to come.
Serpent Temptation is a classic—essential listening for fans of both death and thrash metal. With its perfect balance of speed, aggression, and technical prowess, it stands as one of the most influential albums of the late '80s, and its legacy remains cemented in the annals of extreme metal.
