So it’s been a really long time since I have posted any kind of music review but life gets in the way. So with that, I decided to start up again and for this review I am putting the band Death on the chopping block. Now for those that are confused, there are two bands called Death. One did come out in the 70’s but the one for this review is the actual death metal band. So let’s take a look………
Scream Bloody Gore- I do remember going to Amoeba and buying this album. Some friends of mine had gotten into Death and since I wasn’t sure which album to start with, I picked this one up as well as Leprosy. In my opinion this is the first true death metal album and I didn’t realize that Chuck Schuldiner did the vocals, guitar and bass. Either way, this is an absolute classic and if you’re going to start with this band, definitely start here. Because it’s such an iconic and classic record, I have no choice but to give it a 10/10
Standouts: Zombie Ritual, Torn To Pieces, Evil Dead
Leprosy- ah yes Leprosy. Just go to pretty much any death metal show and you’ll see at least 3 or 4 people with a shirt on with this album cover on it or a vest with the back patch of this album cover. To say that the album cover is popular is an understatement. But enough about that how’s the actual album itself? I’d say it’s definitely a step up in both tone and quality. Maybe it’s because I was listening to the deluxe reissue but the band sounds a bit fuller on here. I’m giving this one 10/10
Standouts: Leprosy, Pull The Plug, Primitive Ways
Spiritual Healing- so if you asked me back in the day which Death album is my favorite I’d probably say this one. I still love this album but I’m not so sure if I’d make it my number one. I will say that the album cover is my favorite. This is also the first album to have James Murphy on guitar and he definitely brings a fresh change to the band. This one focuses on real life things like drug addiction and serial killers. It does feel like it’s slowed down but it’s a good kind of change. I’m giving this one 9.5\10
Standouts: Spiritual Healing, Altering The Future, Killing Spree
Human- I really like the opening track for this album. I like how it starts off all quiet and then the drums kick in. Anyway, I feel like this one has the most technical guitar work. The songs are also a little longer than they have been on previous albums but they don’t drag. Overall, I would put this up there with Leprosy so with that I’ll give it 10/10
Standouts: Secret Face, Flattening Of Emotions, Together As One
Individual Thought Patterns- I feel like this one has the best lineup. You’ve got Chuck Schuldiner, Andy LaRocque, Steve Di Giorgio, and Gene Hoglan and that makes for one awesome album. One thing that is noticeable is that you can actually hear the bass which is something that is kinda rare in death metal. The solos on here are also really good which is due to having Andy LaRocque play on here which also kinda gives the rest of the record almost a European metal sound. Definitely one of their more underrated records. I’m giving this one 10/10
Standouts: Trapped In A Corner, Overactive Imagination, Out Of Touch
Symbolic- this one definitely has a more melodic approach than the albums before it. Before this review, this is probably the one album of theirs that I had listened to the least so it was nice going back to it. It’s certainly their most technical record and probably their longest record too. Like the last record this one I feel like gets overlooked in favor of Scream or Leprosy. I’m giving this one 10/10
Standouts: Crystal Mountain, Symbolic, Misanthrope
The Sound Of Perseverance- ok so we’ve come to the last Death record. I actually think this was the second album of theirs that I got and I listened to the opening song so many times. This one definitely focuses a lot on the guitars and I don’t know for some reason this sounds like a very 90’s record. I feel like the guitar tone gets a little boring and this is really the only Death album to have instrumental songs in it too. There is a great cover of Painkiller as the last song but overall, this album is good but not great which is too bad considering that this is the last album they would release before Chuck Schuldiner’s death. I’m giving it 8/10
Standouts: Scavenger Of Human Sorrow, Spirit Crusher, Painkiller
It’s pretty safe to say that this is a very influential band and I do have to say that at least for me it took awhile to get used to Chuck Schuldiner’s vocals. They aren’t what you would call traditional death metal vocals but they do fit their sound and of course his guitar playing is incredible and it’s too bad that he passed away so soon. I can only imagine if he were still alive what kind of albums we would have or if Death would even be around. RIP Chuck Schuldiner
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Human
- Leprosy
- Individual Thought Patterns
- Symbolic
- Scream Bloody Gore
- Spiritual Healing
- The Sound Of Perseverance
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