Artist: The Chasm
Label:Oz Productions
Release Date: 1998
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Deathcult For Eternity: The Triumph Artist: The Chasm Label:Oz Productions Release Date: 1998 Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Slither:
These days there isn't much mystery or surprise left in the "underground" metal scene. This is due largely in part to the Internet; information is pretty much available to anyone with the will to Google their way to new music. Luckily there still exist a few bastions of originality and raw creative force unknown to the masses. One of these gems is Mexico's The Chasm. The release of several demos starting in 1993 allowed a window into the band's growth in talent, and the feeling was strong that they were ready to explode into something amazing. After several label changes and personal struggles everything came to fruition on Deathcult for Eternity: The Triumph. 'Triumph' is a dramatic understatement when referring to this classic album, and though their cult status makes them something fun to discuss with close friends, this is an album that everyone should hear.Deathcult is not characterized by overly technical guitar work or blasting mechanical drumming. It is not clean, it does not sound edited, and the performances by the musicians are not going to blow you away. The strength of this recording lies in the songwriting; the epic nature of the songs is something I have never heard replicated outside an album bearing this band's name.
Influence by bands like Slayer and early Sepultura is obvious in their use of diminished chord structures, but while the former are frenetic in their pace and often lack cohesion, The Chasm opt for a more deliberate and earthy approach to the rhythm section. The backbone of The Chasm's unique style is their use of stiff and combative riffs with layers of discordant leads meandering along above the fray. Songs continuously flow and evolve dragging the listener to the heights of bloody victory and down through the sorrowful depths of defeat.
Unlike many Death Metal recordings, the bass is used to dramatic effect on this record; swelling in tempo and urgency with the rhythm guitars, and reminding us that the low end has just as much relevance in the creation of atmosphere as do the other instruments. "Channeling the Bleeding over the Dream's Remains" is an excellent example of all the elements The Chasm consistently pull together to form their unique brand of melodic Death Metal.
The production on Deathcult is a bit flat, but plenty of space is allowed for the instruments so nothing is obscured or lost. This is not a pumped up in your face recording, but it is also not "trapped in a sunken garbage can" Black Metal. If you've burnt yourself out on early 90's Scandinavian Death Metal, and are looking for something that made you feel like the first time you heard Demilich's Nespithe, get yourself a copy of this album immediately.
Favorite track: "Possessed by Past Tragedies (Tragic Shadows)"
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