Individual Thought Patterns

By now Death had already had numerous lineup changes as well as shifts in style and sound. They went from an almost thrashy and gore filled tone in their debut "Scream Bloody Gore!", started showing signs of a bit more complexity with "Leprosy", showed hints of proginness in "Spiritual Healing" and went balls out full throttle with the awesome release which is Human. But Individual thought patterns remains my favorite Death album and one of my favorite metal albums of all time. Everything is just so perfect here. The lineup was arguably their best(although the Cynic dudes can certainly make a pitch to that claim as well!). With Andy Laroque and Gene Hoglan adding their respective talents to the likes of Steve Digiorgio and the mighty Chuck Schuldiner, this is a record for the ages.

The tone by now is classic Death, with those major fourth and fifth harmonies running rampant all throughout, leads smooth as butter although played in complex time signatures and odd scales. This record is a musician's wet dream! The songwriting once again is bloody brilliant. "Overactive Imagination" is just a choc full of riffs and strange yet intriguing drum patterns that keep me interested throughout. "In Human Form" has riffs played so tightly you'd think the band were a bunch of surgeons. The rythm is pummeling and fierce and kicks the listener straight in the face all the while remaining technically brilliant. Tempos shift all around without ever skipping a beat. "Jealousy" follows and this track truly shows off the amazing skills of one Steve Digiorgio. Although the guitars as usual are center stage, the bass keeps up frantically and is so keenly tight with the drums while at the same time having standout moments of its own. The solos are once again just peefectly executed. The riffing just flows very well, excellent song.

"Trapped in a Corner" is a classic by all means, the track chugs along before going into a groove section which leads into some weird solos played over some odd signatures before trading off into something a little more accesible. This is achieved in brilliant fashion and shows off these guys' chops. Many feel that this might be unnecessary but you know what? If you can do it, then do it! This song is a great piece of songwriting as themes come and go without a hinderance. "Nothing is Everything" is another song with some cool rffing that ranges more on the proggy side of things before lashing out in a brutal assault, the riffs are quite catchy actually, making the listener remember them afterwards. "Mentally Blind" is a heavier track with some pummeling drumming accompanied by some once again very solid riffing from Chuck and the boys. The chorus is slow and gloomy with some nice ambience to it. The solo is also excellent, fitting the dark mood perfectly. Next comes the title track, and "Individual Thought Patterns" doesn't disappoint, being arguably the fastest track along with the opener. The riffing is nice and tremolo and the drums are brutal, heavy and technical. Once again the bass shines through a mist of crushing guitar work. The vocals are also excellent. "Destiny" has a very nice clean introduction before getting what is arguably the best riff on the record. This is like headbanging 101, only technical and leads into a more spacey part where Gene Hoglan takes over. The track shifts to technicality with blinding solos and harmonized riffing. This is a rather crushing song that leaves you breahtless upon its competion. "Out of Touch" starts off slow and doomy before a malestrom of riffs invades your speakers and the heaviness ensues to dark atmoshperic riffing perfectly complemented by the rythm section. It's all very tight and very groovy at times with those Death harmonies kicking in at any odd moment.

To close things off we have "The Philosopher" Death's most famous track, one with which a music video was created. This starts of with a now legendary tapping line followed by the amazing rythmically syncopated riffing pattern that fits just so perfectly with the vocal patterns. The solos are just perfect and the bass work during the bridge is simply amazing. Things get a little spacey before kicking back into that monster verse riff again. The track fades out after the chorus blasting religion about child abuse and sexual identity.

Death were pretty balls to the wall with this release, showing more speed than they had ever achieved previously, yet keeoing the Death dynamic intact with the proggy elements and guitar solos. The songwriting is top notch, the vocal performance is also spellbinding. The lyrical IQ is up there considering this is Death Metal we're talking about here. This album is just so enjoyable and so well executed from start to finish, a definite must have.