Death metal is more than just music. It transcends such a limited mortal state of mind. Death metal is the aural expression of humanity's darkest side, of devastation, sorrow and the harbingers of mankind's own inhumanity and ultimate destruction. Death metal is not a trend, a fashion parade or a means to an end. It is much more than that. It is a way of life. A life in death. This is the doctrine Italy's Hour of Penance, spewn forth with unrelenting musical ferocity through their sickening, mind-obliterating auditory assault on the senses. Forged in the dark shadows of "The Holy Capital," this most unholy of quartets have steadily been making a name for themselves as one of the most intense, talented and impressive modern death metal bands both in-studio and onstage. And like clockwork Hour of Penance returns with Cast the First Stone which follows-up 2014's Regicide and serves as album number seven overall.