Artist: Cannibal Corpse
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 2/26/02
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Title: Gore Obsessed Artist: Cannibal Corpse Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 2/26/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
I have to admit, the last time I was excited about a Cannibal Corpse release was, well never. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the band, I actually like them and consider myself a fan. The reason I never get excited is that with Corpse you always know what you're going to get. Namely, a quality, straightforward death metal release. I look at Deicide in much the same way. In all honesty, if you took the last few Cannibal Corpse releases and randomly put them on a CD player, I would, more likely than not, have trouble telling you which album each song was from. And I've spent a good amount of time with each of them.
"Fact is that Cannibal Corpse has come out with their best album since The Bleeding." If this all sounded like an intro that would precursor me telling you how much different this album is, it's not. Gore Obsessed is not smashing down any boundaries, but it's not regressing, or even stagnating either. Fact is that Cannibal Corpse has come out with their best album since The Bleeding. They didn't do this by changing their sound, or doing something stupid like adding keyboards. They did it by doing what they do best, playing their brand of straightforward death metal. The reason this album stands apart from their last few is that the songwriting is bumped up a couple of notches. In fact, the whole album exudes effort.
They do seem to have been influenced by their contemporaries a little bit as some songs remind me of other bands. "Compelled to Lacerate" sees Corpsegrinder's cadence approaching Deicide territory and the plodding groove of "When Death Replaces Life" is reminiscent of latter day Morbid Angel. But both songs are great... and they're not the only ones. "Dormant Bodies Bursting", "Drowning in Viscera" and "Mutation of the Cadaver" are all killer tracks that stand out on their own. The production job also is above par, letting the guitars really crunch, and making Fischer's growl and scream combo more effective than it's ever been in the past.
"One word review: Awesome." So, while this isn't the most groundbreaking thing out there, it is one of the best. Cannibal Corpse have surprised me for the first time in a while, and reminded me why they are so important to this genre. One word review: Awesome.
Death's Review:
I think it's safe to say that if you are at all or ever were into death metal, you are already familiar with Cannibal Corpse. In the mid-nineties, Cannibal Corpse grew to be one of death metal's biggest bands, and they remained a major subgenre force despite Chris Barnes' departure in favor of Six Feet Under. So, with the new Corpse album (Gore Obsessed) already having been released by the time you read this, I'm going to assume that those of you who would benefit from a review of this album the most are those that fell off of the wagon somewhere along the way, and have therefore held back from already having purchased it or at least checked it out.
So should you care about Gore Obsessed? Yes. It kicks ass. There are so many killer, slow and downtuned riffs, you might say the band was a bit "groove obsessed" this time around. But, of course, these are no nu-metal moshings, no way. I'm talking old-school, violent thrashy death metal feelings, the kind that make you want to throw furniture around your living room. These kinds of riffs are everywhere throughout Gore Obsessed, surrounded by some seriously brutal and fast death metal verses. The production is perfect, providing clarity in all of the instruments yet delivering a completely tight and brutal sound at the same time. Of course the lyrics are graphic.
"So should you care about Gore Obsessed? Yes. It kicks ass." I love "Pit of Zombies". I immediately think of Testament's Chuck Billy-- I could totally picture him singing this, I'm not kidding!! The solo sounds old school and cool, and the double-bass drums are clean. Other Gore Obsessed tracks like "Compelled to Lacerate" are pure technical metal masterpieces. Huge drum fills, pummeling riffs, late-eighties thrash production with modern equipment. These tracks are often catchy too-- I can't get "Lacerate" out of my head. This shit sticks with you and haunts your mind, the way great metal used to. The hidden cover of Metallica's "No Remorse" (track 12) is even fun.
I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised. I didn't know what to expect from Cannibal Corpse this time around. But truth be told, this is a surprisingly excellent effort for the band, and a substantial step forward from where they had appeared to be headed, apparent in the seemingly increased extremety and the intensity level of some of the passages, allowing the Corpse to keep pace with challengers such a Nile, Lamb of God or Hate Eternal. Time may prove this one to be a classic modern thrashy American death release. For now, I'm going to keep listening. But something tells me this might still be getting airtime in April when I will hopefully see the material performed live. I really like this album, and while it is not breaking any new ground by any stretch, it is a great metal album and proof positive that-- unlike some of their contemporaries-- Cannibal Corpse still maintains a significant relevance to the underground metal scene.
"Time may prove this one to be a classic modern thrashy American death release."
Hel's Review:
You gotta give Cannibal Corpse credit for the self-aware nature of the title to their newest album. Fans of the band have long known that they are Gore Obsessed, but it's always nice to see them declare it to the world in no uncertain terms.
But in all seriousness, their newest effort is much as you may expect. Lots of references to evisceration and the like are delivered via fierce death growl. Blistering guitar riffs abound, as do blazing guitar solos and ceaseless drum pounding. And the hidden track, a cover of Metallica's legendary, "No Remorse," is a truly entertaining bonus.
"Fans of the band have long known that they are Gore Obsessed..."
They have maintained the same standards of brutality and skilled execution established by their previous albums, and if you have remained a fan from the start, there is little chance you will find this album disappointing. Gore Obsessed is the kind of record you pop in when you want to slam around, bang your head, and break things. Just as it should be.
"Gore Obsessed is the kind of record you pop in when you want to slam around, bang your head, and break things."
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