Divine Empire - Doomed to Inherit (2000)

I came across this thrashy slab of Floridian death at Bookmans about two years ago. I didn't know that it was a Malevolent Creation offshoot. I didn't even know it was death metal, I surmised as such from the cover, but didn't know for sure. I bought it cuz it had a cool cover, which is a pretty good shopping method for death metal. I figured it would be some C grade death from Poland or whatever. While it loaded on my computer it checked it out on Metal Archives, and found out they're made up of ex members of Malevolent Creation. Once I gave it a listen, it turned out it was not C grade death but solid B grade death/thrash.

Malevolent Creation is one of my favorite Floridian death metal bands, haven't listened to much of their newer stuff, but fuck me if Retribution don't kick a ton of ass.

Divine Empire may not be Malevolent C back in '92, but then again no one is. Doomed to Inherit is an adequate substitute. Its not as good as the Pepsi to Malevolent's Coke, but it ain't Diet Malevolent Creation either. Divine Empire is a bit thrashier, has some cool melodic leads and some groovy parts. But still, they are never gonna live down their roots in Malevolent Creation.  Jason Blachowicz's vocals are deeper than Brett Hoffman's and a little bit growlier but still he sounds like a human. Lyrically its just as tarded as you would expect a Malevolent Creation offshoot to be. Production is decent, with pretty loud kick drums. 

Bottom line: Doomed to Inherit is some decent and entertaining thrashy death that is able to stand on its own merits. Sure to please, but not to impress

You stay classy, Divine Empire 

Bred and trained to kill, hate begins to grow/No more Mr. Nice Guy, no mercy on your soul