Symbolic

Death as you probably know is the band widely credited with creating death metal or at least popularizing it. After being formed in 1984 they went on to release their debut album “Scream Blood Gore” in 1987. That was the start of their career and 8 years later, after many changes in line-up and sound they released Symbolic. Now, almost 15 years later, this album stands as one of the top contenders for the definitive progressive death metal album. This album will make you forget instantly about Opeth’s “Blackwater Park”.

Now the first thing I mentioned about this album was how many changes Death has gone through. The line-up for this album is Chuck Schuldiner (Vocals/ Guitar), Kelly Conlon (Bass), Bobby Koelble (Guitar) and Gene “Atomic Clock” Hoglan (Drums, obviously). This line-up contains two of the same members as the last album did but the sound on this album is vastly different. There is a more mature sense about the lyrics, this time relating to real-life issues, and the music itself is just so much more interesting.

The guitar has some epic riffs and solos (more so than previous efforts). The song “Empty Words” has the most emotional riff I’ve ever heard in any Death song. During the chorus when Chuck is belting out “Promises! Have potential! To hurt, is anything real?” Also the riff in the chorus of “Sacred Serenity” is worth mentioning as well. Now to the solos! My favourite solos on this album are the ones in the title track and Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain is one of my favourite songs and the solo is one of the most eargasmic things I’ve ever heard.

The bass is also better than most Death albums. It is used a lot in the intros of songs. Especially in the intro to “Zero Tolerance”. The intro to “Sacred Serenity” also features some really cool sounding bass riffing. Now if this album had Steve DiGiorgio like the last album did then that would be amazing.

The drums are perfect. But that was to be expected seeing as it’s the Atomic Clock himself behind the kit. The drums are interesting and complex. They are extremely technical and fit every song perfectly. I am absolutely stunned that he was able to pull it off, especially the tempo changes in songs like Symbolic. It starts off slow with slow drumming and in a second at about the 30 second mark it blasts away at thrash like speeds.

Vocals are an important thing on a metal album. This is usually what makes most bands listenable or not and it is because the vocals are usually in the “foreground” of the music. Now the vocals on this album do not disappoint. They have become less guttural yet again and are leaning towards the shrieky style that Chuck would develop for the next album. But they still have all of the aggression they had before and are more comprehensible. And by comprehensible I mean that I can understand every word on this CD but the vocals are still harsh and aggressive.

Overall this album does not fail to please and is a must have for any fan of Death. If you are a fan of Death and don’t have this album I can only say that you are missing out.

Highlights:
- The tempo changes and solo of the title track
- The epic and emotional chorus of Empty Words
- The Intro and chorus of Sacred Serenity
- Crystal Mountain