Artist: Withered Earth
Label: Olympic Recordings
Release Date: 7/15/03
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Title: Of Which They Bleed Artist: Withered Earth Label: Olympic Recordings Release Date: 7/15/03 |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
American death metal seems to be at a crossroads. Ever since the early 90s explosion, when it seemed that just about any band could get signed, American death metal has been wallowing in stereotypes depicting stagnation and anachronism. Following the death metal explosion, black metal, Europe's melodic death, and metalcore have been the center of attention in American extreme music. Bands like Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse began to be used as generic examples and you'd hear a lot of phrases like "the AC/DC of death metal".
While there is no doubt that the 'irrational exuberance' of the early nineties death explosion tarnished the reputation of American metal, the genre considered to grow and deserved more attention than it got. Both veteran acts and relative newcomers continued to push the sound forward in their own ways throughout the mid to late nineties. Bands as diverse as Death, Nile, Vital Remains, and Dying Fetus remained forward-looking and relevant despite the fact that the genre as a whole continued to receive little respect. And while some may hear all of the old stereotypes in a band such as Withered Earth, further dissection of the sound shows that American death metal is continuing to grow.
"While some may hear all of the old stereotypes in a band such as Withered Earth, further dissection of the sound shows that American death metal is continuing to grow." Like other American acts like Divine Empire and Vehemence, Withered Earth are doing one hell of a job of sprucing up the genre while remaining wholeheartedly true to it. While nothing the band does is overly dramatic, they are far from boring. Their sound utilizes melody, but remains brutal at its core. The songs come across as accessible and instantly enjoyable, but contain enough intricacies to keep one interested upon repeated spins. The band is outstanding in inducing time change upon time change, and their rhythm section seems just as comfortable laying down bouncy, mid-paced tempos as they do with punishing blastbeats. Their riffs are always compelling and at times extraordinary, and the songwriting is solid.
The record isn't perfect, however, as I find that although the songwriting strikes me as amorphous (no, not Amorphis) and diverse, the production holds back the overall sound a bit. The album isn't poorly produced, the production just seems to be confining the musicians at times.
"While nothing the band does is overly dramatic, they are far from boring." End result is that this is a very good record and a must have for anyone isn't jaded with regard to the American scene. One word review: Solid.
Death's Review:
"It makes me happy that bands are still pumping out the killer death metal riffs in 2003." Rochester, New York-based Withered Earth deliver twelve tracks of average-to-above-average yet standard issue brutal American death metal with some blastbeats for their third album, Of Which They Bleed. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I like brutal American death metal in the vein of Morbid Angel and Deicide, and Withered Earth do a competent job of updating the sound. And it makes me happy that bands are still pumping out the killer death metal riffs in 2003, carrying forward the notorious and historic art, tradition and scene that is underground brutal death metal, a sub-genre with such passionate fans it will never truly die. Withered Earth "emerged from the ashes of Disgorged" in 1995, a unification of the visions of vocalist Adam Bonacci and guitarist Brian Spade.
"You're a death metal warrior, and Withered Earth understand your pain." Fast forward to 2003, and Withered Earth are still delivering pummeling death metal, with a nice penchant for cool, headbanging riffs and a certain catchiness to many of the tracks. Nothing groundbreaking (although they do incorporate some "modern" grinding/blackened style blast beats, courtesy of the addition of drummer Brian Spade in late 2001), but if you are into this sort of thing - and are a fan generally of the latest releases coming out of Olympic Recordings, that's probably pretty much OK with you. You're a death metal warrior, and Withered Earth understand your pain. Listen to the lyrics, hear the disturbed rage of Bonacci's vocals, and bang your head to the pummeling riffs. Play it loud, and thrash around in a chaotic display of primal aggression. Trust me, the urge to kill will suppress, even if for just a moment more.
Hel's Review:
Withered Earth is good ol' American death metal, with the emphasis on "good." From the blistering beginning to the devastating ending, Of Which They Bleed delivers Withered Earth's message with a sledgehammer exclamation point.
"Of Which They Bleed delivers Withered Earth's message with a sledgehammer exclamation point."
"Withered Earth has provided a disc chock full of rollicking metal fun for the death lover's enjoyment." With drums thundering incessantly in the background and technical guitar riffs framing the guttural vocal delivery, this record is worthy of attention from even the most jaded death fan. We're talking high-quality, well-executed death metal with thrash accents.
Sure, I'm absolutely a sucker for death metal. I love it. Withered Earth has provided a disc chock full of rollicking metal fun for the death lover's enjoyment. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for some quality metal to blast from their speakers.
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