The Classic Metal Album Review:
Title: Deathshead Extermination
Artist: Crisis
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 1996

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Hel's Review:
    Crisis is a profoundly important and influential metal band, one which too few people are familiar with. From the moment they burst onto the scene, Karyn Crisis immediately proved herself to be the ultimate frontwoman. Her inventive vocal style mixed tortured screams and beautiful singing into something utterly primal and powerful. The band walked a line between an American style of death metal, and the classic style perfected by Black Sabbath.

    I certainly could have chosen either this or The Hollowing for the purposes of this review, but Deathshead Extermination was their first Metal Blade release, and as such it perfectly illustrates what made this band so unique. No other band has yet been able to rival the unique style of this band, and few seem to have even tried. The combination of elements that come together in this band to create this particular breed of metal are completely, uniquely Crisis.

    So what happened - why did they fall of the face of the earth? As I understand it, their relationship with Metal Blade ended, and they spent the next couple of years searching elsewhere for a suitable deal, to no avail. They then decided to leave their hometown of NYC to seek their fortunes in L.A. The last I heard, they had decided to change their name to Skullsick Nation, and had posted a few tracks on MP3.com.

    I myself have recently relocated to the L.A. area, and have been hoping to see them in their new incarnation at a local club one of these days. You can be assured, once I do, you will hear all about it. Until then, I encourage you to pick up either of the Crisis albums currently available, and hit the MP3.com link above [Ed. - MP3.com has since gone belly-up, so the link is no longer available; 8 Convulsions has been re-issued.] to hear some previously unreleased Crisis material, as well as some of the new stuff. If you've never heard of this band, believe me, you need to.
    5 out of 5
    HEL  Email Hel

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