Artist: Dismember
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: Europe- 1/17/00, US- 2/29/00
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Title: Hate Campaign Artist: Dismember Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: Europe- 1/17/00, US- 2/29/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
The death metallers from Stockholm return with their latest effort, and according to label, have tried to incorporate melody and technical prowess to their well-known sound. Dismember have never really rubbed me one way or the other. I’ve always thought of them as a good band, but they’ve never made me think they’re doing anything altogether their own. Older material always reminded me of Entombed, and while there are valid arguments contradicting that comparison, none of them ever seemed convincing enough for me to change my opinion. Unfortunately, Hate Campaign doesn’t look like the platter that will change my mind.
Right from the opening track, "Suicidal Revelations," I got the impression that I was listening to another band. Their newfound infusion of "subtle jabs of melody" came across as a song that seemed heavily influenced by the most recent Arch Enemy record. Don’t get me wrong, the songs are pretty good, but in all honesty, Arch Enemy is much better at it. Dismember, while talented, don’t have the technical skills that are so effectively showcased on Arch Enemy’s work.
"Older Dismember material always reminded me of Entombed, and while there are valid arguments contradicting that comparison, none of them ever seemed convincing enough for me to change my opinion. Unfortunately, Hate Campaign doesn’t look like the platter that will change my mind." While no other track might be as directly influenced as "Suicidal Revelations," the formula of thick-shouted (almost hard-core) vocals, with the chugging guitars pausing only for brief melodies or artificial harmonics, has been done before and done more effectively. My early favorite on the album, "Enslaved to Bitterness" is most effective at this formula, showing a knack for what they're trying to put together, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
It is nice to see a band trying new things while maintaining their focus on what they are, but I can only recommend this album to long-time fans. If only the rest of the album lived up to the potential heard on "Enslaved to Bitterness," but unfortunately there is just too much filler.
Death's Review:
A solid, if marginally uninspired platter of standard- issue, Stockholm-style death metal. At its best, Hate Campaign barks with the fist-pounding, head-banging ferocity of newer bands like The Haunted or older-era Entombed. But at its worst, Hate Campaign cannot distinguish itself from the mediocrity of the balance of the metallic pack.
"I'm bored with this one fast. And like I've said before: so much metal, so little time." Is this a terrible thing? Well, if you live for this type of death metal, you probably gotta have this one. And what the heck? You should probably at least pump a fist for the release of this veteran act's fifth full length album. Then consider the more than competent drumming, the presence of several cool guitar solos, the downtuned heaviness of tracks like the excellent "Hate Campaign," a couple of other cool tracks like "In Death's Cold Embrace," and mostly just the sheer metalness of it all, and it's clear that some merit exists in this release. But nevertheless, I'm bored with this one fast. And like I've said before: so much metal, so little time.
Hel's Review:
A great album title. It certainly is a window into the mayhem inside this release. This is a great combination of all things metal, mostly death metal. The vocals are the fierce, growling type. The guitar sound ranges from heavy and fast to mellow, classic rock style, often all in the same song. The drumming is impeccable and the bass line keeps the songs flowing and interesting.
Since all the elements are in place, I must determine how this album impacts my little world. I think there is a wealth of aggression and depth to this disk. I didn't really get it at first, I was just thinking that it is a good, dependable, heavy release. It struck me during "Mutual Animosity." There is an echo on the vocals which gives the impression there's something else there. I then realized the entire album is a bit more complex than meets the eye.
"Dark beautiful colors, dark beautiful sounds. That's what I get from this album." On a surface level, I like the basic perks. How some songs end like the needle ripping across an old LP on a turntable. Lots of double-bass drumming madness. Those qualities that make you want to toss shit around. A deeper level needs to be achieved for an album to be something more. That deeper level has to have variation and what I like to call color - the composition has to create a certain mood, convey a certain feeling. This album is able to do that for me.
Dark beautiful colors, dark beautiful sounds. That's what I get from this album. Yes, you should check this one out. It's certainly worth a few listens, and perhaps many more if it is indeed as complex as I suspect.
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