Artist: Necrophagist
Label:Relapse Records
Release Date: 8/3/04
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: Epitaph Artist: Necrophagist Label:Relapse Records Release Date: 8/3/04
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Slither (9/17/04):
Let me first say that this is a damn fine album in the truest sense of Chris Sessions' ( Metalreview.com) terminology. Much like the previous (and fantastic) release Onset of Putrefaction, this new work, titled Epitaph, is filled to the brim with guitar acrobatics and showmanship. The Locrian mode was never put to more extensive use outside the realm of Paganini's pieces for Violin, or perhaps on an Yngwie album. And while virtuosic excess has its place, that last comparison gives me pause with this new Necrophagist album.My brain seems to malfunction when trying to describe this album; it is an excellent album, but in comparison to the previous it certainly fails to impress. In context, the previous album was the sum total of years of work and the present was most likely rushed by Relapse and regardless of pressure it did not have 10 years of work poured into it. So, with the following comments bear in mind that this is a killer album in the realm of tech death and slays much of its competition, but it just isn't Onset.
The songwriting approach has changed on this release. Previously the focus was death metal with a neoclassical flair, featuring leads incorporated within the structures as bridges melding seamlessly within the work as a whole. The last album also had stacks and stacks of killer riffs. Epitaph does not quite play out in that fashion. What Epitaph does is function more as a vehicle for lead work. We're not talking 4/4 rock beats wasting the bass talents of Stuart Hamm in a Joe Satriani fashion, but you could certainly say that this album is a Satriani-esque approach to death metal. There are odd time signatures, there are tempo changes, and there are riffs that are hard to play in the background; but it really all adds up to exactly that - the background for Muhammad's leads.
Complaining aside, the performances on this disc are fantastic. The bass provides a great source of entertainment with the always admirable note choice, using the instrument to create the bottom rung of intervals rather than have it monotonously follow the guitar. The drumming has taken on a slightly more narrative feel in the songs this time around, possibly due to the influence of other musicians for the recording process and I can only think of Canadian thrashers Quo Vadis when trying to compare this style of percussion. I use the term influence loosely, as the change in style is not drastic, but there is definitely a change in approach since the first album.
The production is top notch and with that said, it is even better than the re-release of Onset of Putrefaction. All instruments are situated comfortably and the lower frequencies do not even waffle out on my truck's crappy 10 inch subs, which are notorious for slaughtering bass guitars and kick drums. I can say with confidence that the quality of musicianship has improved on this album since the last time around, the scales Muhammed attacks are more difficult and his performances are more daring and confident. However, because of that fact, it seems the songs in general have suffered a bit. It is my official prediction that this album is a stutter-step in this band's career and the third offering will combine the skill of Epitaph and the songwriting of Onset. Do not skip this album, it is not a performance to be missed, but be prepared to accept it for what it is.
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