Style: Progressive
Death Metal
Leprosy (1988) Rating:
8.6/10
I'm sorry, this one will have to be a quickie.
Basically, as Death's second album, Leprosy is still devastatingly
brutal (like Scream Bloody Gore), but there are a few more progressive
flirtations creep in, making this a Death Metal album more interesting
and varied than most. Whenever listening to Leprosy, I skip straight
to 'Left to Die', with its amazing riff straight after the chorus, nicely
followed by Death's anthem of sorts, 'Pull the Plug'. Can a song get any
deathlier? After that, I'll listen to any of the other tracks - they're
all very good - although 'Choke On It' is also becoming a definite favourite.
I guess a warning is needed for lovers of ITP,
Symbolic or The Sound of Perseverance; the progressive element
here is minimal, and while it adds to the music, the main focus is shockingly
heavy and brutal metal, which certainly isn't everyone's taste. But for
Death Metal fans, this is a must.
Individual Thought Patterns
(1993) Rating: 9/10
How to begin…how to begin.
How can I begin to describe such a work of complexity? How can I capture
such a unique achievement with mere words? There is nothing for me to compare
it, because all comparison is unfair. Individual Thought Patterns
is in a world entirely of its own, a world yet to be named.
Individual Thought Patterns
is an album of constant melody. At every second, strange, tuneful passages
can be heard. Whether it is from the bass or the almost silent rhythm guitar,
the melody remains. Layers of nervous, edgy soloing run through the songs,
climaxing with absolutely incredible guitar virtuosity. Tempo changes plague
the focus of the album, so that we are always unsure as to where the music
might be taking us. The abrupt ending of each song is a small testimony
to this. A dangerous flirtation with progressive rock also develops within
each song, until we are truly puzzled as to what we are hearing. To explain
this is difficult, so it is generally better to except to complexity, than
to understand it.
It is still very riff based,
and the riffs are as good as anything else Death have done. Chuck Schuldiner's
(R.I.P.) classic speed-riffs find their way into the music, prominent sometimes,
buried others. On the two main highlights of the album, 'Overactive Imagination'
and 'Trapped In A Corner', we hear these strange dynamics in their most
exciting form. One minute we may be enjoying the soothing melody of Schuldiner's
lead guitar, and the next we may be crushed by the pounding heaviness of
the bass and rhythm guitars, in their unison of power. Musically, this
album is intriguing and innovative.
However, it is in the lyrics
that we find our biggest surprise. Remember Leprosy? Remember the
blood and the gore? Remember 'Born Dead' and 'Open Casket'? If you do,
ITP will shock you in an entirely different way. It is an album of critical
philosophy, of resentment and numbed pain. The lyrics paint many different
pictures, all with the recurring vision of a corrupted force at work, in
human form that uses a spiteful intelligence to cripple the innocent. Chuck
Schuldiner speaks of this evil, aggressively but with wit, and reminds
the listener that within each of us some of this creature lurks. He is
cynical in his own, original way, using the music as a tool to describe
his stories of betrayal and lies. It is not soppy, or deathly, but uses
words instead of anger. We sometimes are witnesses to criticisms of the
music industry, as well as the wealthy and powerful.
Corruption is maybe the
most dominant theme, but Schuldiner has never been narrow-minded. The words
and message of this album are more important than any other Death Metal
release. This is the only album with a consistent set of meaningful, articulate
songs. That, in itself, makes it a landmark release. Coupled with the music,
this album can be considered a veritable classic.
Perhaps the ultimate testimony
to its brilliance is its enjoyability. This is not as tight and intense
as the brutality of Leprosy; instead, while still being very powerful,
it is more relaxing on the ears. It is the sort of album fans will listen
to over and over again, constantly hearing something new. It's one of the
few really heavy albums that can enjoy at any time of day, whatever mood
I'm in.
In a genre so traditional
as Death Metal, it is difficult to stand out and be heard. Albums make
but a small dent in the minds of listeners, as slowly the quality is watered
down. Individual Thought Patterns is one of the few that manage
to be more than the rest, and subsequently is essential for anyone who
has a taste for the new, exciting and important. A definite metal landmark.