Artist: Vital Remains
Label: Osmose Productions
Release Date: 1997
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Forever Underground Artist: Vital Remains Label: Osmose Productions Release Date: 1997
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Hel's Review:
Though a dizzying array of line up changes over the years, Tony Lazaro has long been the backbone of Vital Remains. He's been in the band since it formed in 1989, and was the only original member left when this opus was released in 1997. Forever Underground found him teaming up for the first time with drummer Dave Suzuki, who remains an integral part of the band to this day. The vocals at this point in time were handled by long-time member Joe Lewis, who dropped the vocal duties following this album, and departed from band entirely in 2000, after nine years as a member. Though Joe was also officially listed as the bass player (his primary role for the remainder of his tenure with the band), the liner notes state: "Bass on all songs done by Anthony Lazaro except by David Suzuki."Forever Underground made it abundantly clear that the musical team of Lazaro and Suzuki was pure gold. Not only did Suzuki help fill in on bass during the recording, he performed all the guitar solos on the album as well, and these quicksilver solos are astonishing to hear. The multitalented drummer filled in many gaps in the band and the potential of his partnership with Lazaro was immediately apparent on this record. The raw ferocity of the songwriting immediately grabs the listener and soon heads are nodding in submission. The production on the record is somewhat rough, but the sound is clear and the quality of the songwriting and performances shine brilliantly through.
Now, here in 2003, this disc is a piece of history. Here is our window into what is to be. Now that Dawn of the Apocalypse and their newest effort, Decristianize, have come to fruition, we can look back, through this window, and see the future. Freaky. Tony Lazaro and Dave Suzuki have worked hard in the years since Forever Underground was released, and have endured far more than their fair share of turmoil, as the revolving door of members and record labels continued to spin ever faster. Their efforts in the service of death metal and Satan have provided us with classic material and it is my sincere hope that this duo find success with Dechristianize and continue to spread their blasphemous death metal mission for many years to come. Hail Vital Remains!
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