All of Reign's Death reviews from A to H. Enjoy! If you want see your reviews here, send'em to me at the email adress that appears on the Home Page.

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ATHEIST-PIECE OF TIME '89

Probably the second, after Leprosy, album from the soon to flourish floridian scene, and a preview of the upcoming genious i must say. As i said on ITP by Death review i rarely mention the bass work on an album, but here i will even start with it. It is so due to two factors, first of all the greatness of Patterson's musicianship has to be mentioned, he was called a spider on his guitar, with the fingers dancing on the strings, so fluently, so fast that the other members had problems following him(they said that themsleves). And because of his tragical death(RIP) in a car accident when coming back from the tour promoting the debut, a great loss for the music, wich becomes very actual today in the lights of the last terrible happening. From the beginning their focus was on the complexity of all the instruments' playing, the songwriting and the arrangements. I must say it is very impressive with what results they have come up. The ambitious intentions in music of this group of guys can be easily noticed in the meaning of the name of the first album. It has two meanings, one is how short our life is, how fast it passes, it is nothing compared to infinity, it is just a microscophic piece of the neverstopping time. The other meaning is the timing of musical structures, the tempos, how focused it is on musical theory(exact interpretation by the band). The vocals are very unusual for death metal, they'd fit more into black, they are schreechy, higher pitched, but very enjoyable. Riffs and solos don't seem to be very technical, well handled, that's how i'd call them, their potential is in the big number present on the effort, a big nucleo of ideas, exploding at you every time you turn on the stereo. The drums are in my opinion very, very strong, the guy knew his stuff, even better than he must, he combines all the great characteristics of ambitious death metal, intense, changing temops often, balancing on a main tone, still being able to filter through mini-musical ideas on its own. Two intros are also on two tracks, one ending with an acoustic guitar, which gives some mood, as it is very atmospherically played, i like such ideas, it proves the band is full new schemes. What can i say to conclude this album? A great work, under-rated, a bomb of concepts and ideas, with perphaps only one song being out of beat. And i heard they top themsleves with the next one, impossible.
Rating: 8.5/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

BOLT THROWER-REALM OF CHAOS(SLAVES TO DARKNESS) '89

Pioneers of grind, not forgetting about ambitious music in their sheer brutality. This should be enough for you guys for a review, to get this album. But i will explain you more.
Although they are listed along with Carcass and Napalm Death i think they played a totally different music from them. ND and Carcass were in the 80s extreme grind, totally unmelodic music, NP anarchist, Carcass sick. Bolt Thrower from the beginning aimed towards a more deathish sound and structure of the songs. Their riffs are unique, they will be even more on further albums, but here we can already have the preview of it. From this statement you may wonder why do i review this album, if this is only the beginning of their to be found uniqueness. Becuse overally i like this album the most, it isn't the most original, or extreme, but it contains an explosion of both musical ideas and energy. The trademark of this album is the famous World Eater, i think this track reflects the most their future musical trip, as there are plenty of melodies incorporated well in their initial brutality. The production isn't all the bad, considering the album we have, if turned loud it makes a good impression.
The songwriting, as mentioned before, it's pretty strong, combinig thrashy riffs, the franatic and unmelodic speed of the godly grind, deathish brutality and a bit of a melodic approach, all mixed in a great effort. And perphaps today with so many albums out there, reaching different horizons and musical extremisms it doesn't make such an impression, but back in '89 it surely did. Especially in the grind UK of nihilstic and sick albums, emphasiately presented by the first two gods.
Rating: 8/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

CANNIBAL CORPSE-TOMB OF THE MUTILATED '92

It is a similiar case as with Deicide. Because of their gory lyrics people tend to under-rate the technicality and musicianship of the album, it's beyond me why.
The lyrics are really enjoyable, though some can find them amusing, but if you're into death, you have to like brutality and such, and these vocals are about killing and raping mostly. As such i like them, their simplistic, brutal way is what satisfies me. Though the lyrics are very rarely the thing i rank the album by, with singular exceptions, when they worth to be mentioned, i do so.
Now going to the music, as i said, the often forgetten part of this band's writing process, is surprisingly good. It is very technical, and the guys know their shit, they know how to handle the instruments pretty good. Though the riffs aren't extremely original, un-convential or standing-out in any other form( by their structures), they are very well executed. The riffs are marked with their writing, and can't be found somewhere else. This is what i call, a good following writing pattern, they deliver of the same style new "melodies", the real revolutionary art is changing those melodies from the roots. Both methods have their own qualities.
It is just a good death metal album, with new music to enjoy. The stand-out here, looking at it overally, is the in-your-face simplistic lyrics and the respectful technicalty combined with a good, well though-of arrangment.
Rating: 7/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

CARCASS-NECROTICISM '91

After recruiting Amott from the soon to be defunct(because of this fact) swedish Carnage these british beasts and one of the pioneers of grind enter the studio to create their 3rd, and best, record.
I think the writers had very heavy heads before recording this, becuase of the amount of ideas they came up with, massive amount.
The lyrics are for once very original(as for the death metal genre), they are, as others, about death, atrocities, blood and such. But how written? Using stricte medical terms, not known at all by normal people, making because of it even a bigger impression, describing operations, cuts of human skin and other medical actions in a disgusting to the bone way. That's why some speculated they were on medical studies, it resulted wrong.
The vocals are good, pretty inconfondible,but not very original, fitting the music though.
And this music, the first track isn't the best, i mean pretty amelodic, but interesting for sure.
But then the ideas start to pop out, these are riffs are written from the core by those guys, not borrowed and changed a bit just to be different.
A blaze of riffs, solos, passes and arrangments, all well combined, sometimes so progressive they seem not fitting in, so experimental.
Some of the riffs are extremely technical, very nicely crunching, with the complexity almost slapping you on the face.
The production is pretty cleaned, which showcases its progressivness even more with such a move.
There are few low moments where there is abit too much experimenting, and the exageration leads into some really not fitting in riffs or solos, every album has less or more of such, so it's not an issue, maybe it was intentionally controversial written.
Overall a nice blast of ideas, well arranged, kept with Carcass' only brutality and heaviness.
Rating: 9/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666) - Admin

CARNAGE-DARK RECOLLECTIONS '90

Such a damn pity this band has disbanded after such a pioneer album, at least the guys have made contribute in other bands(Dismember, Carcass) so we haven't totally lost their talents. Saying Left Hand Path 2 could ad could not resolve the writing of the review. Becuase it is very similiar in style to that album, also mainly raw and brutal, but with lots of melodic solos and rhytms. It could becuase of the fact that i possess this album longer than Left Hand Path, but i praise it more, i mean, it sounds to me being a better album musically as both of them were innovative. I'll stop with the comparisons and will review this album as itself, though it is very hard due to the influences the bands had on each other. The first thing that hit me is that behind all this rawiness and agressivness there is a good musicianship both in the shreding riffs and surprisingly high melodic solos. I like the idea of combining these two concepts, on one hand you have this raw as hell sound, sick vocals, killing drums and morbid riffs, and on the other a solo enters, very melodic, having a freshiness on itself, giving a deeper level to the whole music. Although it may sound complex the music isn't really technical, it is pretty primitive(in a good way), and most of the tunes found here are simple. It is explained by the circumnstances this was recorded in and the impact it had on the whole scene. Which was enormous.
A classic, which doesn't have to offer only its legend, but also a good protion of brutal and some nostalgic tunes.
Rating: 8/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

CRYPTOPSY-BLASPHEMY MADE FLESH '93

Extreme chaos. These are the first words that come up in my mind when i listen to this record. And that's also why alot of people under-rate this magnificent record, it is simply very hard to dive your teeth in this intense and hyper-dynamic music. But those who will achieve that, like me, will love this record, as it is just very well written, with relentless, yet somewhat catchy riffs and sometimes very complicated, even unmelodic musical fractures.
The extreminess is very significant on this record, these Canadians surely know how to make it brutal and fast. The two main factors on which you can rely their brutality are the vocals courtesly by Lord Worm and drums by Flo, both simply amazing, and hard to praise because of theirs uncompromisable form. Vocals are really original, and hard to copy by any other band, Lord has his own tint of voice, which is unique, i know alot of people won't like it because you cannot understand the lyrics from what he's growling, but it the way it is. It isn't monotonous if you listen closely, although staying in one range of sound he tries to diversify them a bit. And these drums, not only being very fast and intense, but also creating new beats, sometimes going out of the guitar riff just to show they live their own life.
Despite the fact these are the instruments that make this record so extreme, there are other instruments that ad to that very interesting and ambitious music, guitars. They don't close themselves only in frenetic gallops, but there are plenty of mid-paced, very morbid riffs, which really get you by their crushing heaviness. And there is one very pleasant, although socking surprise, solos, some of them are veery melodic and catchy which makes this record an outstanding one compared to other extreme deathers. And as such i will always see it.
Ranking: 8.5/10
Marcin Michalski(Admin)- Metal666

CRYPTOPSY-NONE SO VILE '96

None So Vile is the second of four albums by this great Quebec Death Metal band. This album is definitly their most brutal. Not only that it is brutal as hell, but it is also really technical. Flo Mounier on the drums practicly never stop pounding everywhere he can at a speed that only a machine could do. Jon Levasseur on the guitar is incredible, technical riffs at blazing speed with ultra-fast and inventive but sometimes harmonious solos as in the track "Phobophile". Also, the bass, done by Eric Langlois is just like the drums and guitar and is really well heard. And the vocals, those who don't know the infamous LORD WORM better get that album, none have a voice like his. Its continuous growling with a really grave ton. But don't get me wrong, it may seem that drums, bass and guitar at blazing speed with continuous growling is just noise, but that is what makes this album so great, everything fits. But for the lyrics maniacs, you praticly can't follow along with Lord Worm ! and his lyrics are pretty weird, makes me think of a kind of an insane guy. But wait, this guy eats worms, maybe he is really insane!!!
Rating:9/10
Nicolas Verreault

DEATH-LEPROSY '88

The previous album was the thing that made them show up outside the underground(where they were know for releasing countless demos) also as a pioneer, but this is The record made them popular, and a recognizable brutal as few great band.
In the whole compartment area the album has improved over the debut, lyrics are more mature, discussing the sick issues of the society, in a in-your-face mode. Become in some places dramatic, as their well-known track Pull the plug, where a sick person asks desperately to help him comitt suicide.
The vocals were for sure originally brutal at those times(first showcase of that in the debut), but in the old metal scene there is some kind of struggle because of calling Chuck The godfather of death metal, also beacuase of his voice. It wasn't his original style at all, as he said he was greately influenced by Possessed's debut, and the similarities are obvious.
The music was written with one main focus, as Chuck said, to be sick as nothing before. It was one of the sickest at those times, for sure. But the musicianship has been let a bit along the way, i am not disregarding its interesting musical ideas, but sometimes the riffs are simple an naive, though the heaviness cathes the lacks up a bit.
To conclude it: the album is heavy and great sounding, there alot of great riffs and solos, in some parts, though, there can be heard a lack of ideas or just a exagerated focus on simple brutality.
A magnum opus in death metal nevertheless!
Rating: 7/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666) - Admin

DEATH-HUMAN '91

After reviewing Leprosy by this great almost one-man band, now covered with tears and sorrow over the tragicial death of Father of DM(RIP CHUCK), i totally forgot to give you a hint of the new, 90s taste, Chuck presented all the world. Its progresivness into the seemed to be closed frames of DM, staying true and loyal to the scene.
The experiment can be announced totally accomplished, giving us a record full of original, complex music, being at the same time the most intense ofering from Death. After losing all the band in less than one year Chucky gets another, even more skilled crew, gets into the studio and records a masterpiece. Considering all these problems he had we should give him respect only for the effort put into this record. But now to the music, having on board half Cynic and Di Giorgio from Sadus this album is being called an intensity of metal gallops. I agree in 100%.
Though the riffs flow around one pattern, being diversified by incorporated melodies, and changes of tempos, this is done so intensely and in such a technical style all we can do is grab our jaws up from the floor after playing the album. The solos are music by themsleves, showcasing totally different music, forming a new level to each of the songs, though not changing the main aim started already by the rhytm parts. The culminating point in this progressivness, though significantly noted on the whole album, is in its instrumental Cosmic Sea. This shows the whole idea of how Chuck wanted to create, an epilog of the music closed in this piece of metal. We have the technical speeding riffs i've been talking about before, we have some silented parts with samples, we have a beautiful bass part, played alone and melodic, very emotional solos which have always been the mark of Chuck's songwriting. That's why i believe this should have been placed either at the beginning, to show a new level of music coming into our ears, or at the end, to show the whole album's concept in one piece.
That's why i love this record so much, it has an uniqueness, complexity, technicality, not losing, even gaining intensity that simply amaze the listener. The drums by Reinart shouldn't be discussed for a long time, godly, combining the characteristcs mentioned above should do it for you.
A masterpiece, whcih is timeless, all i can say now is...support the music, not rumors.
Rating: 9/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

DEATH-INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS '93

It isn't becuase of the leaving giant that i am reviewing so many Death albums lately, they are just 100% worth it. Although overally Human is my favorite Death album, if i'd only had to mlook at the music written for an album, this is the one. I know some peope turned their backs on this one, and on Death in general, becuase it doesn't deliver the same intensity as the previous work, but for me the tunes included here are a valuable repayment. This said i must admit that the production could be handled better by Scott, or it is a simple matter of what Chuck wanted to accomplish with this album, maybe a more progressive and therefore cleaner sound. If yes he did accomplish that.
Reinart was a great drummer on Human, but what Hoglan does here is just beyond(same with Symbolic), it's not even the speed and intensity of the percussion(i just can't imagine what he could do with the material for Human), but the complexity, the hidden mini-tunes, very hard to catch for an avergae listener. You have to stop and focus on the music, to full appreciate all the work and heart he puts into this. I think the riffs are better written than on Human, they just aren't that tehchnical and dense, they are more concentrated on the structure itself, how to rich it up. They make a magnificent blend with these even more progressive than before solos, not racing them, like in many death metal albums, but refilling up for each other, creating an undivided musical unity. Di Giorgio on bass doesn't miss neither, he does a great job, i rarely mention bass works in my reviews, as it usually is insignificant, it makes a background along with the standard rhymes. But here no, it goes out, it shows itself, sometimes by simply accenting more some already plyed guitars parts, and sometimes making its own melodies, bringing a new feeling to the songs. Already the individual instruments sound great, but the arrangement of them all is truly formidable, all have their own places, timings and tempos. A symphony.
Rating: 9/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

DECAPITATED-WINDS OF CREATION '00

This review finishes the monopol in reviewing only records from the old days, as i wanted to start with showing my loyality to old school thrash and death. But the music on this album is all old school, and such music simply cannot be missed.
The fact that i praise this album so much doesn't come becuase of the provenience of this band, as they are from my homeland, Poland. A little history is undoubtfully needed as i imagine most of you don't know alot about this young and well promising group of musicians. After few years of local playing and 2 demos they get deal with a company owned by Earache, Wicked World, and with Peter from Vader as the producer they record this piece of brutal art. The most amazing thing about this band is its members' ages, the oldest being 19 and the drummer, the youngest, 16 years old during the recording! It reminds me of the same situation when Death Angel released their debut, both spectacular. The music included here is very brutal, which has the highlight in the vocals, very deep and growing, which i enjoy becuase they show how much of an extreme this effort is, both in music and energy. The music is truly great, it could be released in the early days with no problem, and it'd be praised as one of the best. Sometimes i wonder if this is a debut or not, becuase usually the second outcoming is that strong, i am already scared to think how that will be. It could seem that fter so many years and albums of excellent, prime death metal we've been receiving from around the world, new riffs or solos are almost impossible to create, without repeating the same patterns. Wrong. Although we can hear the typical death metal influences from the ginats these riffs live their own lifes, having unique structures, the songs following their own patterns, not others'. The riffs are mainly powerful and brutal, not leaving much space for melodies inside themselves, this assignement is left for the great solos which occupy this album. My only complain about them would be that there are too little of them, for such a technical album, but these which we have are terrific. They are quite melodic as a matter of fact, which creates an interesting contrast when they start races with the brutal riffs. They contain alot of ideas, and that's mainly what i like them for, not counting their technicality. Drums are terrific, i can't believe the guy is 16, he simply destroys them, still having his own styles and making creative arrangements. 7 songs is the second and last complain for this album, as i'd be glad having more of this music. Lyrics are very mystical and philosophical, me being a fan of such, i really enjoy them, although i don't take such a big care about lyrics usually, it's starting to change now. These guys aren't only playing great music, they are promoting it well, an US tour is planned, an European recently finished, they will appear in some Behind the music on metal, the only death metal band to do so!
All i can say now that i eagely await their new album, due on february, called Nihility, claimed as even better!
Rating: 8/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin


DEICIDE-LEGION '92

A short explosion of satanic, technical and unconventional sounding structures death metal. This is how i could summarize this effort in one phrase. The first thing that hits about this record is the extremely brutal attitude of the band towards Christianity. It is being insulted, bashed and attacked on every occasion.
This record is very under-rated by many people, throughout the excessive, in their opinion, attack on the Christian religion they don't see what a statement of art this is. This album showcases a high level of the band's playing techniques, and also such in writing very un-convential riffs, totally uncatchy in most of the cases, and therefore very original, forming unfound elsewhere musical layers. The solos are performed in the simliar vein as the riffs. I hail the vocals, as they are not only brutal, which wasn't such an originality at that time, but having a wide range of tunes, they sound as an instrument themsleves, bringing differnt thing in each of the songs.
Overall a very good record, wich i praise for the technicality, the ability of making it densely sounding alltogether, and of composing such, hard to come up, because of their pattern, riffs.
It could be longer though, 28 mins, and some parts could be a bit less repetitive. My only complains.
Rating: 8/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

DISMEMBER-INDECENT AND OBSCENE '93

As i am still in the phase of analyzing their great debut, recently aquired i will review this another monster by this legendary swedish band.
How uncompromisable this band is, is shown by the name of the album. Fans know that there was a trial against them in England for a song from the debut talking about a case of rape and murder in the mentioned country on a girl. As an answer to it the band here has written the second part of that song, precisely named Eviscarated Bitch, explanations needless. To enlight you more, dear reader, about the band's image may i say that in the booklet teh drummer has been characterized as Jesus, and not to hail him.
But as for the music it is really hard to judge it as it isn't extreme, technical nor progressive. It is just an interesting, well written and played swedish death metal. Therefore i think Like and ever flowing stream(their debut) is overally a better album, their best actually, this one coming real close. There isn't alot to say here, very interesting, characteristic riffs, this unmistaken sound, creative solos and all well arranged. The riffs hold your attention due to being often changed in tempos, and structure.
And as i said, although it is a very good piece of death metal, highly recommended, something groundbreaking, or setting new standards(like Clandestine) would be more appreciated from such a band(the Carnage heritage) and for those times. The last song brings some fresh air, as it is played with a highly melodic riff, having a very silenced and almost nostalgic ending, the album seems to fade away. It gives a feeling of the band having a concept behind the whole album, which is always respectable. I won't complain no more, as i enjoy a big deal.
Rating: 7.5/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)- Admin

EDGE OF SANITY-PURGATORY AFTERGLOW '94

Another step into progressivness for this very creative Swedish band. I wouldn't really call this melodic death metal, as many do, although i admit there are alot of melodic solos and riffs resembling of such patterns, but this is more of a progressive album. I like such progressive death, no keyboards, no computer samples, no incorporations of soft music, except some silented parts. What has hit me real hard is how the band accomplishes in writing music fresh, ambitious, catchy, but still in the vein of old school. This is what this album exactly stays in my eyes, some may not like such an experiment as clean vocals on a part of a song(i was surprised myslef, but i enjoy them!) or a very "nu" sounding last song, but the rest is all undeniably good, even for old schoolers like me, you have to like some melodies though, as there can be found plenty. Another interesting and respectful thing is how they are still able to put in some almost-grind parts in here, crushing drums at speed-light and chaotic guitars, and then a melodic riff comes in surprising and intriguate you. It makes the album only richer and more compex, full of vitality and ideas. Every good album has its own strong point, this one's isn't technicality, extremism, innovativity, it is just the vast range of music, all within death metal. And for this freshness it should be hailed.
Rating: 8.5/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666)-Admin

ENTOMBED-CLANDESTINE '91

The best swedish death metal album. Final.
After releasing a very influential on the soon to come huge swedish scene Left path the guys came up with their heads up from the studio having a new influence for those around: this gem.
I am not very familiar with the lyrics, but the vocals sound good, appropriate with the music, not showing any big originalty though.
Music is truly great, believe me, that's what i love the most, brutal, heavy and progressive at the same time. The production was a goal for alot of the swedish bands later on, called the Sunlight sound(from the Sunlight studio where it was recorded, which got pretty busy in few years to come) and that's good, becuase it is clear, but very raw as well(as the famous Burns' sound).
They got plenty of ideas for riffs and solos, which were almost all very good and complex, even those simple ones had "this" something. An interesting thing is that the main song-writer was the drum: Anderssons, which was a real bessing for the drum arrangemts, astonishing! So complexily arranged in some parts, but still pounding in a heavy way, inviting to break your neck during the headbanging, and sometimes making records in frenetic runs and massive bombardments. Altogether it does make a great impression on ya, hard to get on the firsts times you listen to it(as all the metal records).
No major errors or let downs here, a classic, that defends itself with the music, not the symbol.
Rating: 9/10
Marcin Michalski(Metal.666) - Admin