Artist: Deceased
Label: Relapse
Release Date: 2/29/00
|
|
Title: Supernatural Addiction Artist: Deceased Label: Relapse Release Date: 2/29/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
4 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The follow-up to their well-received Fearless Undead Machines is finally here, and it was worth the wait. Fowley and Co. take us through an eight song scarefest, with all of the songs having been inspired by some of the creepiest stories of all time. The subjects range from the old classics like Poe ("Dark Chilling Heartbeat") to newer stories that have yet to stand the test of time, like The Blair Witch Project ("Elly's Dementia.") Making this disc mandatory listening come Halloween time.
I've often put down the "retro" sound in many of my reviews, saying that if you don't have anything new to bring to the table, you probably aren't worth my time. The reason that I bring this up is that I've often heard the "retro thrash" tag placed on this band, and I just don't see it. They are no doubt completely based in thrash, but their sound is so fresh that to call it dated just sounds stupid. The composition of these songs is so much more complete than any of the "retro" bands I've heard, that comparison is impossible. Perhaps it is an advantage having a drummer doing vocals, because it seems that the rhythm is complemented by King's lyrical style much more so than most of the music I listen to. His death inspired growl has an almost steadying effect on the overall presentation of the songs, and makes them very listenable.
"There seem to be at least three to four distinct riffs in each song, you have a guitar lover's dream." Another great asset of this record is the knowledgeable use of riffs. It seems to me that all of these songs are great examples of what a thrash song should encompass. They use powerful catchy riffs, but they don't fall into the same traps as other bands. No riff is ever overused, and the really good ones are usually reinforced by time changes so that the song prevents the listener from getting bored. Add to this the fact that there seem to be at least three to four distinct riffs in each song, and you have a guitar lover's dream.
The only aspect in which this album cannot be considered completely successful, is the fact that many of the songs sound the same. While the songwriting distinguishes the songs, the engineering doesn't, but, in all honesty, it really doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the album. Favorite tracks include: "Dark Chilling Heartbeat," "The Hanging Soldier," and "Elly's Dementia," but there isn't a bad song on the disc. I just went from being an average Deceased fan to a huge one.
"I just went from being an average Deceased fan to a huge one."
Death's Review:
Perhaps you're too young to remember the early 80's, when thrash, death, and black metal were one. When Venom, Possessed, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost and Slayer reigned supreme as kings of the underground. Bands like Saxon sang of denim and leather, Iron Maiden were on the radio, and everyone had a back patch. Those were glorious days.
Deceased remember them. Fuck that, Deceased are living them. To paraphrase a quote from King Fowley himself at the March Metal Meltdown, Deceased are so metal they'd rust if you left them out in the rain. True metal spirit shines through in everything they do. Let the message spread to all other bands in the land: If you truly love metal, the rest just takes care of itself.
"Perhaps you're too young to remember the early 80's, when thrash, death, and black metal were one and everyone had a back patch. Those were glorious days." While Deceased definitely do have a bit of a retro vibe about them, certain aspects of their sound blend in more modern influences. I can hear some of the post-Carcass Euro-death working its way into their sound ("The Premonition") (perhaps simply a common influence?), but I must admit I'd rather hear them stay unique in their adherence to the old-school deaththrash vibe. The occasional spoken voices are very cool. It's mostly Slayer, like "Die By the Sword" ("Frozen Screams"), or "Captor of Sin" ("Dark Chilling Heartbeat.") But similar to the best early Slayer, like "At Dawn They Sleep," often, the songs actually go somewhere -- unlike the downtuned baggy-pants idiots who constitute the majority of the "harder edge" record sales today, with Deceased, at times you have to even listen to the whole songs to get the full dramatic benefit. Imagine that.
King Fowley's vocals sound a lot like Venom at times. But just hearing this stuff in the twenty-first century, played with such passion and integrity and with such an undeniable love for all things metal, makes me proud to be a metalhead. So the fact that the band lets their influences show through a bit is truly of no concern.
"Let the message spread to all other bands in the land: If you truly love metal, the rest just takes care of itself." Of course, with a retro sound comes a fully retro production, at least in the old-old-school thrash guitar sound. And a fairly limited range for Fowley. But when you can feel the spirit of metal glory flowing through a band, these things truly matter not. Deceased love the fans, they love the music, and the fans love Deceased. Count me in.
Hel's Review:
So I press "play," and the opening riff of "The Premonition" begins to play. I think to myself, "this new In Flames song is pretty good." As I think this, the vocals begin. "But what has happened to Anders’ voice?", I wonder. NO, that’s not what really happened - I’m just kidding. But "The Premonition" does have a lot more of that Gothenburg sound incorporated into it than I would have even considered. Don’t be under the impression that Deceased has gone Gothenburg, while the influence is often evident, the aforementioned song is really the exception rather than the rule.
"So I press 'play," and I think to myself, 'this new In Flames song is pretty good.' " Overall, the musicianship is superb. Well, King is certainly not a vocal god or anything, but his voice is ideal for the accompanying music and the fact that he ruthlessly pounds his drums simultaneously more than makes up for any slight lack. Rather, his voice is distinctively Deceased as is his drumming. Hell, King Fowley IS the heart and soul of Deceased, but those other guys back him up really well. Mike, Mark and Lee all play outstandingly on this release.
"Supernatural Addiction, is certainly an addiction, but not necessarily supernatural. The causes are most natural: heavy metal mayhem." There are many wonderful songs on this disc, and many diverse sounds. Almost every song seems to have an element or two that puts it over the top and elevates it from good song to great song. For example, my favorite track, "Elly’s Dementia", has a wonderful little spooky guitar accent that adds an additional dimension to the song. These little extras are what make this album special. Another fine example would be the intro to "Chambers of the Waiting Blind" which sets the mood for the rest of the song beautifully.
Supernatural Addiction, is certainly an addiction, but not necessarily supernatural. The causes are most natural: heavy metal mayhem. I was giddy while listening to this album when I first got it. King and Co. have created a manic masterpiece. I do however have one complaint. It’s too damn short. I would have liked more songs - eight feels like I’ve been shortchanged, as if I didn’t get enough change back from the cashier or something. I could go either way as a result of this, I could take it as a lack and give only four skulls, or I can decide that this is the hallmark of a great album. I like it so much, I’m going to go with the latter. Buy this - buy this NOW!
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.