Artist: Insision
Label: Wicked World
Release Date: 6/25/02
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Title: Beneath the Folds of Flesh Artist: Insision Label: Wicked World Release Date: 6/25/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
Let me start off by saying I'm not sure how this band spells their name. In some places I've seen it spelled with an "s", but the logo seems to have the correct spelling, so that's what I'm going with. However you spell it, Incision isn't what you'd expect from a Swedish band. Unlike most of the death metal that comes out of that area, Beneath the Folds of Flesh turns its back on the melody that has made their countrymen famous and instead come out with a brutal record that would seem more at home in the swamps of Florida. However, the Swedish reputation for quality remains intact, as this band has produced a complete and impressive album.
"The album title reminds me of unsuccessful attempts to bang an obese woman." It is also a short album, clocking in below 30 minutes, helping to invoke comparisons to Deicide, but Incision also have equal parts Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse laced throughout their sound, and they show a solid sense of groove in the middle of all of their heft. And while the album title reminds me of unsuccessful attempts to bang an obese woman, hanging out with album is anything but hogging. The album does, however, take awhile to creep into your psyche, as on first listen it seems to standard. But after the first few spins it becomes easier to pick out their influences, and their take on them is interesting as well as forceful.
Early favorites include the tracks "Temple of Flesh," "Rewind Into Chaos" and "Before My Altar," but there isn't a throwaway on the disc. I wouldn't characterize this as a "must have," but it will be a welcome addition to the average death metal fan. Every time I put it on I have a strong urge to open a beer (okay, fair enough, just waking up gives me a strong urge to open a beer) bang my head and growl my throat hoarse, but since I don't really know any of the words I just hum. I'm not sure how long I'll be listening to this one, but I'm enjoying it while I got it, and that's the whole point for me. The only thing that detracts from my enjoyment is the mix/production. It seems inconsistent to me as it is often adequate, but every once in awhile the drums get that tinker-toy sound to them.
"I look forward to seeing where this band goes with their sound because as derivative as this album is, there is a hell of a lot of potential here." And that's about it, this is a great, but not necessary album that I recommend if you got the spare cash laying around. I look forward to seeing where this band goes with their sound because as derivative as this album is, there is a hell of a lot of potential here.
Death's Review:
I know, the album title sounds like a bad fat-fetish video and the band's spelling is surely questionable (I disagree with Abyss, although the word is properly spelled "incision," this band's web site is www.insision.com and a closer look at the logo shows them indeed using an "s" in the spelling). But if you like Death metal, you'll quickly get past all that when listening to Beneath the Folds of Flesh.
"...stands out among the well-publicized glut of standard-issue death metal releases we've seen over the years."
The album sounds like Cannibal Corpse, Monstrosity, Krisiun, Dying Fetus, Hate Eternal and Morbid Angel thrown together into an exciting, kinetic, brutal yet technical, precision attack, with a few modern touches thrown in for good measure. Helped along by excellent musicianship and a production aesthetic that allows the listener to appreciate the basswork as distinct from the guitars without compromising the bludgeoning brutality of the riffing, and that also showcases the excellent drumwork yet which does not allow the drums to pierce their rightful place as keepers of backbone rhythym as opposed to becoming a lead instrument, Insision carry the technical, Florida-sounding (this time, by way of Stockholm, Sweden, and yet still without a trace of the harmonies and melodies that would normally be associated with the country) torch to some fairly killer heights on this release. Their sense of groove, juxtaposed against several fast, pummeling riffs which remain interesting to listen to despite their uniform intensity, makes for a cool combination which stands out among the well-publicized glut of standard-issue death metal releases we've seen over the years.
"Not necessarily original, but nevertheless, quite good." Insision can play, and when they do, I'm sure they can literally level the room with the power of one of their more well-timed slow riffs. With this release coming on the Earache label here in the U.S., I would not be surprised to see Insision appear live in this country at some point. In the live setting, I'd expect Insision to crush. The album is really very good, and if you like the idea of hearing straight-up North American type of metal as interpreted by bunch of non-melody-obsessed Swedes, and of course played and produced with a high level of professionalism and backed by a fervor and a fury that is always apparent throughout the album, then check out Insision. Not necessarily original, but nevertheless, quite good.
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: "Ex Oblivione"I became intrigued by this band when I received a press release stating bassist Daniel Ekeroth has a Master's degree in Cinema, and was publishing a book on Italian horror films. I was curious, just what would a death metal band with a member who has studied horror movies with such dedication sound like? It turns out that it sounds like very traditional straightforward death metal.
There's nothing at all wrong with that. I've grown tired of people badmouthing good old-fashioned death metal. I believe that those who say there is nothing unique or interesting being done in this style of death metal these days are simply not paying enough attention. Inherently embedded in technical death is the notion that faster and more complicated is better. This is true, but in practice it can often create a cacophony of sound which the only the most adept ears can parse out into the complicatedly brilliant separate parts. But that's just my opinion.
"In my opinion, Insision is an extremely talented band." Further, in my opinion, Insision is an extremely talented band. Each song has a distinct character, and is easily distinguishable from the others. Bad, unimaginative death metal bands are unable to accomplish this. Therefore, Insision cannot be a bad death metal band. So why are they a good death metal band, you ask? The sheer range of death riffs and harmonies incorporated herein demonstrates not only that they are a good, but dare I say, even great death metal band.
Stop banging your head for a few moments and really sit down and listen to this sucker. There may be similarities to other death metal greats, but I think that could be attributable to the fact that, like so many styles of music, there is a specific template that has been established. However, Insision takes the old template, slices it into pieces, and rearranges them like an old wooden roller coaster being restored to brand new life with a wacky new configuration. Yeah, it's old school, but with some twists and turns that you've never encountered like this before.
"Bottom line, if you're nutty for death metal like I am, you need this record." Bottom line, if you're nutty for death metal like I am, you need this record. If you're a death snob from way back, I suggest you give Beneath the Folds of Flesh a solid chance, and don't give in to your usual inclination to dismiss it out of hand. If you're a death newbie, this is a no-brainer - buy it! Listen to this record loudly and on a nice stereo to get the full effect of all the separate bits and pieces.
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