Superior

You can file Deformity's second album in the list of disappointing second albums by death metal bands (see also, "Beyond the Gates", "Thresholds", "Legion", "Indecent and Obscene", etc.). "Superior" is less well known than those albums, but it gives me the same underwhelming feeling. Such a feeling occurs due to comparisons with each band’s stellar debut. In the case of Deformity, their debut album ("Murder Within Sin") was as good as late 90s death metal got. Lithe, lethal, dynamic stuff with a slight influence from the hardcore scene.

Most of what made the debut great is absent here. This record sees Deformity ditching the final remnants of their hardcore influences and becoming a ‘typical’ death metal band, derivative of Deicide, Sinister and Vader. These eleven songs (and one instrumental interlude) pass without much to distinguish them. The band's avoidance of solos now sounds like a weakness rather than a strength (although mini-leads appear occasionally). The song-writing is worse than before. There are fewer of those well-timed dead-stop moments and fewer hooks. The band's sense of motion and tension has been clipped. These songs are more complex, but they lack the same energy and efficiency.

The main problem is how ‘flat’ everything sounds. The band can throw in some warbly Possessed-type riffs (e.g., on "Daylight Bleeding"), but these have none of the seasick motion that I would expect from such riffs. The same could be said for the slower, more intricate parts (like the middle of "Eden Is Burning"), which sound more annoying than threatening. The production doesn’t help. It is inferior to the production on the debut in every way. Every instrument feels like it exists on the same plane of existence. The kick drums sound bland and uniform. The bass is less dominant in the mix than it was on the debut (and less heavy). This provides more space for the guitar, but the tone is that generic 'crunch' sound that plagues so many metal records from this era.

Another key difference is the absence of Lookmulle on vocals. His barked, shrieking style had presence and menace, and it distinguished Deformity from almost every other death metal band. This time the vocals are handled by the band's bassist (Wulf). He has a decent low-register growl, but he can't match his predecessor's variation or intensity. I believe the reason Lookmulle left is because he damaged his vocal cords with his unique technique. He does actually provide guest vocals on one song ("Raven"), but his voice sounds shot. His strained, ‘sung’ vocals are nothing like his previous screams. They actually remind me of the backing vocals on Ceremony’s "Tyranny from Above", another obscure lowlander death metal record (albeit from the previous decade).

There are some passable moments on “Superior”. This is still quite good from an objective standpoint. The acoustic interlude, "Time (The Avenger)", has a wonderful timbre. The overall highlight might be "Vassago", with its Vader-esque intro that sounds a bit like "Sothis". The sad truth is that the best moments of this album are those that remind me of other (older) bands. The opposite was true on their debut, where Deformity excelled in sounding like no-one else. All things considered, "Superior" is a forty minute death metal album from the early 2000s. It might appeal to people who like Hate Eternal. I will pass, and recommend the band's debut album, along with Sinister's "Cross the Styx", as alternatives.