Artist: Internal Bleeding
Label: Olympic Recordings
Release Date: 9/7/04
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Title: Onward to Mecca Artist: Internal Bleeding Label: Olympic Recordings Release Date: 9/7/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Internal Bleeding return with their first album in five years and after a virtual revolving door of different members. This album, originally dubbed Hatefuel and seemingly eternally delayed, was engineered by Suffocation's Terrance Hobbs and will most likely be considered a successful effort by fans of that scene.
"One word review: Great." Internal Bleeding could be considered a typical death metal/hardcore crossover type of thing, but there is an integrity to this album that raises them above a lot of the mediocrity that's found out there. That being said I do find myself distracted quite often, and many parts of this album can be considered underwhelming. But there is some pretty cool shit going on here. I must admit I'm a little sick of all the 'crossover' stuff going on, but this band's been there from the beginning and they're adept at keeping the whole product brutal and ugly at the same time.
Just the bass work in the track "Siege in the Clouds" shows that these guys aren't your cookie-cutter, cookie-monster burpers. And while many of the songs are relatively straight forward, they hit with a malevolence that keeps you interested if not enraptured. Other standout tracks like "Infidel" and "Hatefuel" definitely elevate these guys above most of their generic contemporaries. One glance at the album and song titles makes the lyrical theme painfully obvious, so if you're into that type of thing, you know what to expect, and the production values are pretty solid. The sound comes through well and the different instruments are well defined, but it's all wrapped up in a pummeling package.
No, not the most breathtaking thing out there, but a solid record for the masses. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
With Onward to Mecca, Internal Bleeding deliver a solid album full of old-school death metal just like you know you love and crave. Not a lot of technicality but lots of brutality. Of course, Internal Bleeding are from New York, and that should tell you something about their sound - mix Immolation extremity and Suffocation riffing with Florida bands like Obituary and early Death, yet spice with some subtle hardcore leaning like heard in bands like Dying Fetus. Does that sound appealing to you? If it does, then check out this album.
"Internal Bleeding deliver a solid album full of old-school death metal just like you know you love and crave." Or perhaps you’re already familiar with Internal Bleeding, as these veterans have been together since 1991 with their first national album out on Pavement in 1995 (drummer Bill Tolley is the only remaining original member). If that’s the case, then you know what you’re getting - no dramatic new ground is broken here. Fans should be psyched to see the Internal Bleeding name survive long enough to benefit from being part of the “Century Family” with Olympic Recordings. The rest of you probably aren’t that interested.
Hel's Review:
Internal Bleeding has been kicking around the New York death metal scene for over a decade. Word on the street is that they were super influential in creating the sound, but this is one of those bands that I missed the boat on back in the day, and in fact, this is my first time sitting down with one of their records. I have heard a lot of great things about this band over the years, and was happy to have the opportunity to spend some time with Onward to Mecca.
"The musicianship is downright blistering at times, with a number of rapid-fire solos mixed in." While the press accompanying this disc repeatedly refers to hardcore, as if this is an element the band has begun incorporating into their sound lately, I really don't hear that. What I do hear is mostly your standard NYDM fare, which is reasonable considering, as has already been mentioned, these guys are supposed to be pioneers in the scene. The musicianship is downright blistering at times, with a number of rapid-fire solos mixed in. The vocalist is not my favorite, but I found his style growing on me. What failed to grow on me, and by far the biggest downside in my book, is the dirty production found throughout the album. I always enjoy music less when it sounds muffled, as is the case here.
I have no doubt that I would have a great time checking this band out live, and I certainly hope that I have a chance to do so, though I have a feeling I won't be making it when they come through with Six Feet Under and their usual horde of hardcore openers. Apparently the folks booking the tour believed the characterization of Internal Bleeding set forth in the press sheet, which is undoubtedly why it is there to begin with. But I digress...
Onward to Mecca will certainly satisfy your massive craving for death. Internal Bleeding has presented us with a respectable album and it is definitely worth your time if you're a death metal fiend. It may have not been everything I was hoping it would be, but it certainly performed its job admirably.
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