Deciphering the Soul

(People of Metal Archives I may have sent this twice due to a sign up error. If so I apologize, thanks.)

The main reason I purchased Council of the Fallen’ album Deciphering the Soul is Tim Yeung. While I do not play any instruments I never cease to be amazed by the abilities of certain individuals like Yeung, Pete Sandoval, Gene Hoglan, and Tony Laureano among a short list of truly amazing drummers. My other rationale for this albums purchase was titles to the albums songs like Longing for Clarity, No Vision of Prophecy, and Falling Through Decades. My hope in purchasing the album was to find above average lyrics that got away from tired allusions towards Satan, butchery, and puke. It seems that what I got was far better than originally considered especially for the reason that I would have been content hearing Tim Yeung pound on the drum kit.

The album opens with a quirky little violin intro, then kicks into the first song called Longing for Clarity. Immediately the listener is hit with Tim Yeung’s amazing beats, which are enhanced by Sean Baxter’s deep Death vox. The guitar starts out crisp and brutal and there is a killer melody that can be heard on the left hand speaker or earphone depending on what you are listening to the CD on, starting at 0:54 (Sorry us musical laymen do not know what that type of playing is called). Along with Baxters’s Death vox is Kevin Quirion who adds guitar riffs and Black Metal vox to give the music/lyrics an evil effect. One can only imagine that this concept is based on lyrics that seem to be about becoming an ego-less creative individual that takes on challenges of character development despite living in a world “Among sycophants and egoists.” Then at the 2:06 mark the song turn’s into a thrash jam enhanced by another ass kicking melody at 2:38. Overall this song is a damned good and an exceptional way to begin an album with an average intro.

The third song is Acceptance in Silence. Lyrically in the first verse this song appears to be about the search for meaning in life and how religion is a false form of acceptance. Yet, the speaker seems to give up on his search and decides that his answer will come in death, which seems a bit petty and naive. Despite the lyrics the song has another nice melody at the 0:24 mark that is enhanced by Yeung’s drumming. Then at 1:59 the song breaks into a duel melody followed by double vocals that sound like a sung bellow. This is followed by a return to the original riff at 2:59 mixed with Death and Black Metal vox. Pretty damn nice is all I gotta say… by the way did I mention that Yeung is insane on the double bass.

The fourth song is No Vision of Prophecy. Lyrically this seems to be a tune about turning away from the superstitions that are written in the bible that have become age old teachings despite what the various sciences are discovering. Overall the lyrics are not the best but they seem to get the point across, which is to wake the fuck up and question what they inculcate into the fabric of your cranium. Musically this song opens with a great quick melody that would make the guys in Amon Amarth proud. Again Tim Yeung pounds away at the double bass like a race horse fleeing a torturous trainer. At 0:57 the song becomes death metal due to insane quick drums, spiraling guitar and deep vocals by Baxter. Also, Quirion does a good job of adding a flare to the lyrics by offering some good Black Metal screeches. Overall this is the most melodic song of the first half the record.

Scourge the Enemy comes next and it kicks off fast and thrashy before hitting a Death Metal stride at the 0:25 mark. This is followed by a nice melody at 0:58. The jam is straight forward until the 2:22 point when the bass kicks in and changes the tune into a classic head bang fest enhanced by some spirited duel vocals from Baxter and Quirion. The song trails off with some nice acoustic guitar that is a fade in to the song Distant Memories. Lyrically this song is about the USA and how they love to oppress other countries with their military might for economic profit.

Distant Memories is a tune about getting old and searching for meaning at the same time, but never finding it. What makes this song killer is the demonic Black Metal vox of Quirion when he gurgles in an almost sarcastic tone “So I sit heat waiting for the end to come. No one knows the answers.” This is followed by Baxter’s deep frustrated Death metal grunt of “Nothing left to dream of, Drowned by the Night.” At 1:38 they do a double bellow of “Memories are distant, memories are black” with Black Metal vocals chanting the same thing in twisted fashion. Musically the song is filled with quick tempos and thick riffs blended with Tim Yeung tremendous playing to compliment the other musicians.

Tempting Angelic Pride is the seventh song. Lyrically it is about casting aside Christianity and finding within yourself God. It walks the path of treading on old with references to followers being sedated and repressed, which is a true, but tired refrain. Still, what makes this song great are the thrash harmonies, Death and Black vox, and of course that guy Yeung. At 1:10 the song gets amazingly quick in a Brutal Death style, that is marked by a melodic tempo change at 1:33 before kicking back into a blend over the remainder of the song between death and melody riffs. Another augmentation to the song is Baxter’s deep spoken vocals. This song like its predecessor seems to close with a nice bit of acoustic guitar playing with the difference being a violin tune at the same time. Then at the 3:06 point it kicks into a slab of Death Metal and melody that will break your fucking head banging neck.

Resurgence comes in next with classic Death Metal technique via deep Death vox, demonic Black vox, intense guitar, bass, and lightening drumming. Then at 1:45 it starts to taper off. At 2:13 it turns into a head bang event with a double kick and various changes in tempo that never cease till the song ends. Overall this is probably my least liked song on this album but it still better than most average tunes by a slew of other bands that will go unnamed.

Falling Through Decades is in the ninth slot, and right from the start the first word that comes to mind is Slayer. It is heavy and fast enough to kill your spine, and any riffing Council of the Fallen may have borrowed from their cover tune practice of Slayer turn’s into their sound at 0:49 with a nice Death Metal melody. As always Yeung’s drumming makes you wonder if he smokes crack and Baxter’s deep Death Metal vox are killer. Lyrically this song falls in line with the theme of the album, which is the search for life’s meaning before succumbing to death.

Repetition Breeds Insanity is a song that is pure Death Metal. It is filled with quick guitar, vocals, bass, and drums. Then in Council’s distinctive style it becomes a melodic thrash festival filled with riff changes starting at 1:51. Then at 2:20 a good guitar solo kicks the song into a thrash riff that thunder’s away at 2:48. What makes this part damned heavy is the whispered vocals done by Baxter. Then at 3:15 it becomes a Death Metal jam.

The outro to this album is a nice soothing acoustic guitar piece. Another thing that makes this album sound exceptional is the production that was done by Eric Rutan, formerly of Morbid Angel. Being a past member of Morbid Angel does not make him a production guru but it does mean that he recognizes how Death Metal albums should sound.

Council of the Fallen is a band who should be heard due to their exceptional musical abilities and creativeness. Just hearing them play makes me wish I had learned how to play an instrument that way I could offer more vivid descriptions and technicality for what they have achieved on their sophomore effort. Council of the Fallen is a band who deserves your money at the local CD store, and they exemplify why CD burning sucks at their level of income versus those bands that have achieved more acclaim with less talent for spinning out what the mainstream market consumes.