Individual Thought Patterns

I think this is one of Death's most interesting albums, aside from Human. Musically, the album sticks out like a sore thumb, and it remains interesting lyrically, as Death always has been unique in the lyric department. This is the album where Chuck's voice becomes significantly higher in pitch, but he can still deal out vocals like he always could. Chuck decides to keep Steve on bass, pick up Gene Hoglan for drums, and Andy LaRocque for guitar. Although not my favorite line up it’s still excellent.

You can actually hear the fretless bass master’s fills, which gives the album a kick and really puts the sound out there. Steve is perfect for this album and he really gives it a unique sound with his amplified bass fills. Andy’s solos blend beautifully with the flow of the music, and most of my favorite Death solos come from this album. Gene Hoglan is a monster on the kit, smashing away as if it requires no effort for him. I think this is probably Death’s most technical album, but Death don’t make the same mistake that a lot of bands make when they go technical, which is direction.

Some artists get lost in technicality and have no clear direction of where they’re going with the music, but that doesn’t happen here. Every single solo is a blistering fest of emotion and intricasy. The solos are also pretty long on this album, which I love. The solo on Trapped in A Corner is probably my favorite Death solo of all time. After watching it on Live in LA and hearing it over and over again, it gets beaten into your brain until it becomes a part of you.

Every single song is ripping and screaming with technicality and carefully placed riffs. The music seems to have a really big “push” to it’s sound, not just because of the blasting bass, but because of the speedy and precocious guitars, blended with the heavy pounding drums. My highlight songs are Trapped In A Corner, Jealousy, In Human Form, and The Philosopher. However, each song has it’s own highlights and special parts to it. I’d say it’s probably the most unique album Death have ever done, and it is a must have for any Death fan.