Review by Ben for Hypocrisy - Penetralia (1992)

Hypocrisy's debut is one of those albums that really didn't bring anything new into the world of music but did what it did well enough to be considered a worthwhile listen. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for with pure passion and has nostalgia associated with it due to its simplicity. These Swedish legends set out to make the most brutal and evil death metal album they could. Kind of a Stockholm influenced version of Deicide's fantastic debut album, filled with stupid lyrics about Satan and the death of God. While it doesn't manage to meet the excitement or fearsome conviction of that album, it certainly has some quality tracks to get you raising your devil horns in appreciation.

As far as style goes, Penetralia's roots are based in the classic Swedish death metal sound created by Entombed, Dismember and friends, yet were clearly influenced by the more clinical approach of US death metal. The drumming always takes the most direct route from A to B, which is perfectly effective yet not very interesting to focus on. Masse Bromberg's vocals are stock standard death growls and mostly decipherable, which isn't really a great thing when the lyrics are so immature and terribly written. But that's all part of the fun really and with some very good riffs and a large dose of atmosphere, Penetralia still manages to be entertaining.

Highlights are Impotent God, God is a... and Penetralia. The closing title track is a really great, atmospheric piece that suggests the style that the band would later run with. Hypocrisy would get much, much better than this in years to come, but Penetralia was an acceptable, enjoyable first outing.