Artist: Abscess
Label: Peaceville Records
Release Date: 10/15/02
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Title: Through the Cracks of Death Artist: Abscess Label: Peaceville Records Release Date: 10/15/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
Well, at least they didn't call it Through Death's Crack. While this album strikes me as a little more worthwhile than Tormented, I still don't find it all that compelling. It continues with their formula of punk-styled power chords, laced with a gore metal mentality, and over-the-top vocal delivery. And while this album is an improvement on their earlier work, it still doesn't make up for the break up of Autopsy.
"At least they didn't call it Through Death's Crack." There have been steps forward that make this album more enjoyable to me, and should do nothing to alienate their loyal fanbase. The production is a step up from earlier efforts, but it's still anything but pretty. The individual songs seem to stand apart a bit more than on past releases. For example, the title track comes across with a decidedly doom vibe, contrasting well against the metered power chord strumming that makes up the bulk of the album.
The guitar solos still strike me as pointless and sloppy, however. But then again, I think that that's exactly what they were looking for. Because I've had to face the fact that this album simply isn't made for people like me. And while these guys are no doubt dedicated to their sound, I don't think they spend hours upon hours perfecting it. It almost seems as though that type of constraint would ruin it for them. Rather, they just storm in, make their statement, and storm out again, and it's up to you to figure out whether they're for you or not.
"They just storm in, make their statement, and storm out again, and it's up to you to figure out whether they're for you or not." Basically there are no real surprises here, and you should already know what to expect. I see improvement on this record, but it's still nothing that I can wholeheartedly recommend. There is just far more interesting stuff out there. One word review: Okay.
Death's Review:
I'll skip the puns about passing shit through my ass and get right to the music. The production on this album (the band's first under a new deal with Peaceville Records) is vastly improved over 1999's Tormented (released in the U.S. by Necropolis Records in 2001). The guitars have more definition and the riffing is more apparent. Still, the end product remains one big, sloppy mess of intestinal goo. Decent riffs can actually be heard this time, but we are still treated to a decidedly lo-fi, rumbling amalgamation of punk, hardcore, gore and death; undoubtedly drawing inspiration from equal parts Motorhead, Celtic Frost and Venom while turning the splatter and extremity up to a full puree.
"The end product remains one big, sloppy mess of intestinal goo."
Of course, the rawness of it all probably appeals to some. This "power chord and screams" kinda gore-metal is exactly the kinda stuff that will piss off your parents and frighten the chick from the cheerleader squad who sits next to you in English class. Perhaps that is what Abscess is for? Drummer Chris Reifert and guitarist/bassist Danny Coralles are extreme metal underground legends for their work with Autopsy, and for this alone Through the Cracks of Death will command attention. And I really like the reckless abandon of the bass [at least it sounds like a bass] solo on the first track. But the bottom line here is that while this is fine, it is by no means great. Metal can do more.
"While this is fine, it is by no means great. Metal can do more."
Hel's Review:
Though it is not difficult to top the intentionally abysmal production of the last Abscess release, I was nonetheless pleased that they did. I was simply Tormented (pun intended) by the production value of that record, and I recall that was a major contributor to the lackluster score I gave that record. So, yippee, I'm jumping up and down that it has improved with this album.
"So, yippee, I'm jumping up and down that it has improved with this album."
"I can tell that the biggest flaw this band has is a lack of innovation in their songwriting." While the quality of the songwriting has not appreciably escalated, the rise in production alone is enough for this album to garner a marginally better score. It is vastly more enjoyable to listen to. The vocals are clear, and the guitar solos are wonderfully articulate. There is still a slightly fuzzy quality to the overall product, but I'm happy to act oblivious to it, since I can still hear the rest of what is going on.
Now, I can tell that the biggest flaw this band has is a lack of innovation in their songwriting. By and large the tracks are suffused with traditional American death. And what's wrong with that? This may not be the be-all-end-all-greatest death metal release of the year, but it's a lot of fun and should be included on the wish list of any incurable death fiend.
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