Symbolic

I've listened to this album numerous times, and have, every single time, derived a delightful amount of pleasure from it. I do not tire of it, which, for an album that invests so heavily in composition, is a quality that is not easily achieved. Everything fits perfectly: the drumming, Chuck's vocals, and those delightful guitar passages. Here's a death metal album one can whistle to. It also gets better the more one listens to it, instead of becoming predictable and tiring. It took a while to fully appreciate this album; the first listening was promising and interesting, but not infatuation-inducing. After a while, though, it seemed the mass of cells under my scalp finally got the gist of it, and have been bleeding endorphins out of their tiny ears every time I listen to it. The guitar compositions are, personally, this album's most endearing quality. Moderately technical, melodic, and creative, they show a combination of musicianship and elegance that can hardly be surpassed by any other death metal album.

I suppose the album could be said to contain progressive elements, especially considering the year of its production. Some songs contain well-placed quiet or mellow passages that precede a thoroughly satisfying riff. "Empty Words" is a excellent example thereof. A few acoustic guitar passages are scattered about too-exactly like icing on cake. The lyrics deal with subjects ranging from intellectual musings, to dystopian prophesies of surveillance states (1000 Eyes), and enigmatic and (highly speculative here) seemingly personal struggles (Crystal Mountain). It is a fresh change from the themes of blood, gore, atrocities, madness, horrors and terrors so fashionable in death metal. Chuck's vocal execution has drawn criticism from some, something I am yet to understand. The vocals are clear, audible, and do not awkwardly force themselves onto the lyrics, like death metal growls have been known to do. Far from it: they are natural, very emotionally charged, and fit perfectly with the rest of the instruments (so to speak).

It would be difficult to pick out favorites in this album, simply because every single track is a gem. However, if I had a gun to my head, I would pick "Empty Words", "Crystal Mountain", and "1000 Eyes". I can't find faults in this album, or anything I would want modified. It's perfect, a thing of genius.