The Album Reader Reviews:
Title: Domain of Death
Artist: Mortician
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 4/17/01
There are currently 3 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 3
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  • Reviewed by Kefka X (7/21/02):
    I've never liked Mortician. If there has ever been a band who has slopped their way through the metal scene and developed a large fan base, this is them. After a slew of albums and a numerous amount of tours, they've still managed put out a new studio full-length.

    Mortician has never changed their formula and never will, and this shows in Domain of Death. Every song is piled with Blast Beats at the speed of light and sloppy, down-tuned guitars, all iced with the indiscernable lyrics of Rahmer. I forgot to mention the SHIT production. In some bands, piss-poor production works *Dark Throne's Blaze and Funeral Moon albums come to mind*. There could be some killer guitars thrown here and there on this album, but the recording is so horrible you can't make out almost anything.

    The lyrics are equally inane *I don't have a copy of the cd by me so I can't pull examples out.* You remember the pre-teen angst lyrics of Chainsaw Dismemberment right? And the kick you got out of reading how silly Rahmer's writing is? Well time to get you HAHA's out, because it's here too. On a humorous note, Will was bragging in a Pit interview one time that the album had only taken three days to write and record. Well Will, it shows.

    I will say this about Mortician though...they're heavy. REAL heavy. Their guitars are tuned DOWNNNNNN like hell, the vocals are gutteral and the drums...well...it's a machine. But in spite of this the album is still a hackneyed, cliched 30+ minutes of blur.

    Will has a good knowledge of horror films though, my compliments.
    1 out of 5


    Reviewed by Nick Lordi (8/4/01):
    Nowadays, the true metalheads that got into Mortician by the time Mortal Massacre was released are now putting the band down and letting their albums collect dust. It seems that even though the band is gaining popularity, people always have something bad to say about them.

    Domain of Death is blasting and heavy, and I like it. Some people say that these guys lack musicianship and creativity. Sure, these guys aren't Ulver or Dissection... but that's the point. Mortician creates music that rips and shreds the ordinary Death metal bands by going the extra mile. Mortician is crazy and earthquaking music that should not be ignored. I thought that Domain of Death was a great album that made the hair on my neck stand up. The Evil Dead 2 song was incredible!

    My only complaint about this album is that the vocals are pure bass. The vocals just sound like rumbling and I couldn't follow the music even while reading the lyrics. Still, this is a great album for Mortician fans!
    4 out of 5


    Reviewed by Kiernan (5/25/01):
    I'll start by saying that I am a huge fan of Mortician. I think they are downright hilarious and I love how they piss off so many uptight metalheads who have no sense of humor when it comes to horror movies. That being said, I think they hit perfection with the Chainsaw album. I loved that album in every way. Then I got Domain. I was expecting them to continue their trend of getting heavier with each album, but I was a little annoyed that they returned to their old production in some ways.

    The vocals are a lot louder in the mix (I personally don't like that-- though others prefer it), the guitars are nowhere near as heavy as their last album, and to top it all off, this is much shorter than I expected from a Mortician full-length. It's barely longer than some of their EPs. Thank God they kept the drum machine. I was disappointed at first, but the trademark Mortician attitude was still showing through and it kept my interest. It took a few listens, but I gotta admit that this album won me over. I guess I was just expecting "Chainsaw Dismemberment Part 2" and then got thrown off when they instead opted to evolve a little.

    Still, it is a good album and it does show a new side to Mortician. Ultimately, it's worth your time if you love anything by Mortician, but I doubt Domain of Death will win you over if you have always hated them.
    4 out of 5



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