For this next review, I thought I’d go back to reviewing death metal so the next band on the chopping block is Decapitated. Now if I remember correctly, I think I was supposed to have seen them with Amon Amarth but their original drummer died but a few years later I would see them with At The Gates and The Haunted. They were great live and now let’s take a look…….
Winds of Creation- one thing I will say about this album is that the drum work on here is incredible. Like seriously it’s just awesome as are the rest of the band. The vocals however I could see first time death metal listeners not liking very much. To me the vocals sound like generic death metal. In fact, they have kind of a Cannibal Corpse feel to them. Overall, a good but not great start. I give this 6/10
Standouts: The Eye Of Horus, Nine Steps, Blessed
Nihility- ok now you can somewhat understand what the vocals are saying (I mean as best you can. This is death metal after all). Anyway, the band steps it up this time and I swear I’ve heard the instrumental/music for the song Spheres Of Madness somewhere I just can’t for the life of me remember. Anyway, this is a fantastic album and I definitely recommend if you are going to start with this band, start with this album. I give this album 9/10
Standouts: Mother War, Spheres Of Madness, Babylon’s Pride
The Negotiation- I wouldn’t say that this picks up where the last album left off but improves upon it. To me, this one even sounds like it has slower parts but everything flows really well. This is also the last album to have original vocalist Sauron on it. I vie this album 9/10
Standouts: Lying and Weak, The Negotiation, The Empty Throne
Organic Hallucinosis- so for this album they got a new vocalist named Covan who’s only album with this band is this record. Anyway, he has more of a hard core sound to his vocals but they actually fit the band. This would also be the last album with original drummer Vivek who sadly would die in a bus accident. Anyway how’s the album? It’s a good album. It’s a little different than what we’ve been hearing prior to this one but a good album regardless. This album seems slower and the riffs seem more crushing than the last album. It’s a good album but just not quite as good as a couple of the others. The songs kind of drag in parts. I give this 8/10
Standouts: Visual Delusion, Invisible Control, Revelation Of Existence (Day Trip)
Carnival Is Forever- so this time original vocalist Vogg is back and this time, the vocals sound a bit more cleaner. The band sounds more technical and tighter. I also get some Meshuggah vibes from this album too. It’s darker and heavier and just a badass album. I give this album 10/10
Standouts: 404, Pest, United
Blood Mantra- If you compare this album to the previous albums then you will be underwhelmed. This one has more of a stripped down sound to it with hints of bands like Meshuggah and Gojira and that’s not a bad thing. This album is pretty much on the same path as Carnival but it has more groove to it. I give this one 10/10
Standouts: Veins, Blood Mantra, Moth Defect
Anticult- this album has a lot going on. It’s got element of death metal, thrash, and groove. There are some slower songs but there are some really fast songs and those are the best ones on this album. I mean as a whole this album is awesome but the really fast stuff is their best. Definitely check this album out and I think it safe to say at this point the band have evolved. I give this another 10/10
Standouts: Earth Scar, Kill The Cult, Deathvaluation
This is a band that consistently puts out great albums. That being said, if you are looking for a band that evolves then give these guys a listen. Seeing them live was awesome and I’m hoping to see them again soon. I do know that they were accused of kidnapping and rape HOWEVER, the charges were dropped. So since all that happened, they went on hiatus and the guitar player is now in Machinehead. Hopefully we get new music from these guys.
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Carnival Is Forever
- Anticult
- Blood Mantra
- Nihility
- Organic Hallucinosis
- The Negotiation
- Winds Of Creation
Sinister Reviews 