Death - Scream Bloody Gore

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#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

Seems to be between Possessed '7 Churches' to Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' where the conflict is which album founded the genre of death metal wholeheartedly? I'd have to say Death, especially well talked about on the Death By Metal documentary is that Possessed '7 Churches' was a bit "sloppy" and Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' was "tighter". I'd have to agree with this synopsis. The music on here is raw, heavy and straightforward. Chuck did a great job on 3 avenues: vocals, guitar and bass Chris on drums. They practiced a shit-ton to get this album out and made. They had to go through some loopholes before finally making a recording on Combat.

Whether this is your first experience with Death or not, one view is this: Chuck did not make any album sound the same. 'Leprosy' was close but you could hear from that recording the songwriting progression. And different lineup as Chris was let go of his drum duties handed over to Bill Andrews ('Leprosy' and 'Spiritual Healing'). They acquired Terry Butler on those two recordings also on bass. 'Scream Bloody Gore' is nothing polished but the sound wasn't so raw that you couldn't make out the guitar riffs. And as Jim Morris from Morrisound Recordings says "Chuck is talking to you in the riffs." You'd better believe that!

The album itself is about 45 minutes and it's just brutal. Chris wanted to stay in the band but Chuck was already moving on. A lot of death metal bands keep producing the same records over and over, Chuck wanted to progress as a musician. So he never really fit that mold to playing death metal exclusively throughout his musical career. This album set the tone for other death metal bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Malevolent Creation, et al to move into this category. I think that the fact that he always thought "metal is metal" and it shouldn't follow in categories which now there are numerous categories of metal. He was opposed to these "categories."

These guys practiced and practiced for this to get made and out to listeners. What to expect in addition to what I said: "Zombie Ritual", what a great song! It's fast, it's catchy, but like all the songs on here. Other people have commented that this album is "boring" and just the same thing over and over. But those are the people who aren't really listening. The production isn't the best, but it was good enough for Combat and even though this album was initially turned down, they found someone that could put in the time to make the recording even though he didn't know what the band members talked about in this genre (Courtesy of Death By Metal documentary). Check it out! (Death8699)

(Combat Records/Relapse Records - 1987/2016)
Score: 90

https://death.bandcamp.com/album/scream-bloody-gore-deluxe-reissue

Death - Leprosy

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#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

Heavy AS FUCK! This is the beginning to Death's musical evolution in music. Pretty much a new lineup every recording (with exceptions). I had this album on cassette and later bought the CD to capture it on my stereo. Most people don't operate out of a stereo anymore, but not me! It gives 'Leprosy' better audio (to me). This album is heavy like I said but catchy. 'Scream Bloody Gore' was the beginning of death metal, better (in my opinion) than Possessed's 'Seven Churches'. And 'Leprosy' is another evolution to Death's music. Safe to say here this is the band that began death metal itself, arguably though.

This album the whole way through has great songs filled with Chuck's songwriting and lyrical concepts. The music fit the lyrics perfectly. But you see that he's getting away from the "gore" in his songs and putting more effort into the words. Rick Rozz adds a different element to the lead department, a lot of whammy bar solos that complement the music, ABSOLUTELY. Even though I like all Death releases, the earlier stuff namely this one is creative and innovative. But as time went on and lineups/musical direction changed Death turned from death metal to more progressive metal. Hence, moving forward to Control Denied and Death's main man Chuck died in 2001.

The vocals on this album go perfect with the songs (music). Rick brought a new element to Death, but not good enough for what Chuck's direction was going towards. Obviously, Rick was probably disappointed with his removal from the band going towards Massacre (his formed band). I don't think that this album really had many flaws, hence the perfect score. The music, leads, vocals, production and mixing all went through really well. I couldn't ask for a better Death release. They did better than fine here. I'm surprised it took me so long to write about this one, maybe it's bringing it out of the archives and revisiting the sounds.

I say, BUY THE ALBUM. If you're into CD's or Vinyl, better yet. This is Chuck playing raw but not so much as on 'Scream Bloody Gore'. It's in my opinion, better than their debut. Definitely, so this is the beginning of movement all across the board with Carcass, Obituary, Deicide, et al. This big move into the real heavy stuff thanks to Chuck. Even if people say Possessed is responsible for this rise in death metal I say no Chuck's band was responsible for the early rise in this genre. But what later happens, is the musical direction towards a more melodic sound. 'Leprosy' is vintage death metal galore! Check it out! (Death8699)

(Combat Records - 1988)
Score: 90

https://death.bandcamp.com/album/leprosy-reissue

Forbidden - Twisted Into Form

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#FOR FANS OF: Thrash Metal, Testament

This band was a monument during their earlier years, and later a tragedy losing guitarist Tim Calvert. The acoustic introduction gets you ready to hear some amazing thrash metal. These riffs are fresh and original. I've had to say that a lot of modern thrashers took influence to early Forbidden. Russ is amazing on vocals too. And the leads/rhythms phenomenal. There is nothing lacking from the album which you would think an early album would be lacking in production quality but not on here! This smokes! The guitars and vocals hit home with me the whole way through the album!

If you take a liking to thrash metal and haven't heard this band, check this one out! It's got so much energy and originality to it. This is one album I'd take with me to a desert island. That is, if one of my choices out of 10 albums, 'Twisted Into Form' would be it! The leads are top notch as well. The vocals are easy to figure out what Russ is saying. He actually sings but with aggression. But that's the whole concept to this album. They wanted it to be underground at the time where metal was getting heavier and heavier. Especially with the growth of Bay Area bands like Metallica, Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, et al are from.

Every song on here has it's own unique sound to it. They really do well about the riffs and leads. There are a lot of lead trade offs as well! And the vocals mix well with the guitars. And with Bostaph behind the set he did them justice in the metal community. This is the only Forbidden album I own so I'm not certain as to what direction the band went over the years. But I want just this one because it's so amazing. It's the songwriting approach that they take is sheer annihilation! It's real good musicianship. I'd go so far to say it's one of the better albums released in 1990. If not one of the best.

If you don't know this band, know them. Or at least get this one. Then you'll see how your hair is blown back! Everything on here just rips. And all members did well on this release. They hit home on here and if you're looking for a great thrash record but not sure where to look, get this. I'm sure that you can digitally download this. I bought the CD to show support for the band even though their status is on hold. It really is amazing from every aspect. And I wouldn't think a thrash album during this era would be so well produced. But they did it and made their fans happy this turned out to be a true gem! (Death8699)

(Combat Records - 1990)
Score: 90

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