The Classic Metal Album Review:
Title: 34.788%...Complete
Artist: My Dying Bride
Label:Mayhem Records
Release Date: 1998

Rating: 3 Skulls
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  • Read the Review of The Voice of the Wretched
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    • Kefka X's Review:
    After the release of Like Gods of the Sun, My Dying Bride saw the departure of long time violinist Martin Powell (who went on later to join British supergiants, Cradle of Filth). Instead of taking the path of disbanding like many bands have done in this situation, MDB took this absence to their advantage, changing their style and sound in an attempt to recreate the mood and ambience that Martin brought forth with the group. The result was 34.788% Complete, which has become universally acclaimed as their worst album.

    34.788% Complete is an album all its own in the MDB discography in that it goes for a more experimental, industrial style of sound. From the vocals down to the drums, the music is very synth-laden, while keeping the familiarity of their signature doom style throughout the album, although quite subtle. The opening track, "The Whore, The Cook, And The Mother," reaches past the 10-minute mark and nearly parallels the structure of their most well-known song, "The Cry of Mankind." If you're not listening hard enough through the processed vocals and samples, you'll miss it.

    The rest of the album's tracks will end up hit-or-miss to most fans. The most bizarre of all songs on the album, though, is the fourth track, "Heroin Chic." Essentially it's an 8-minute trip-hop song with nearly no emphasis on guitars, relying more on Aaron telling a story through a heroin-addict's eyes. I personally like the song a lot, and while the lyrical content is rather silly (nah nah nah nah yeah yeah yeah?!?!?!?), it's unique and very urban-esque. "Apocalypse Woman" is another fine track, dating back to the earlier years of MDB's career. My least favorite song would have to be "Base Level Erotica," which comes across as just plain silly and overdoing it.

    Many fans argue the existence of this album in anyone's collection, claiming that this is the Cold Lake of the band's career. I personally don't see this album as a complete failure. In fact, while it's not the band at their best, it's definitely not a bad album. Whether you will like it or not is up to you. As a classic it gets 3 skulls. While I think some of the songs on the album are fantastic, the ones that aren't strike me as being terrible. There is no middle ground on this one.

    Consider it a history lesson.
    3 out of 5

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