Let Us Pray

Back in the mid 90's, I discovered this band, and I must admit that I didn't grasp either Satanism or music very well back then. I got this album, and despite the really cheesy artwork, it was much darker than anything I was listening to at the time, including Morbid Angel, Deicide, or

Frankly, this album scared the piss out of me the first time that I heard it.

"War In Paradise" has a deceptively simple and catchy riff, really heavy when combined with the pitter-patter bass drums. Fuck, this is like Nemesis/Candlemass' "Black Messiah" played as death metal! And the part with Jeff screaming "DIE! DIE! DIE!" is simply great. I can remember blasting this at my very Catholic ex-girlfriend way back in the day to piss her off!

"Uncultivated Grave" starts in a similar fashion, but the mid section is Mercyful Fate meets Candlemass, an unholy, gruesome melody. Once in a while, it'll speed up and slow down abruptly, giving an uneasy touch to its flow. "Malevolent Invocation" is one of the faster tracks on here, pounding and grinding away with some twisted leads. "Frozen Terror" is a more doomy feeling song, evoking images of a nuclear winter, especially with that really creepy intro.

Songs are really long, which turned me off in my younger years, but when analyzed today, they're epic and expertly crafted. There are tons of different moods and shades of darkness, all of them wretchedly evil and malicious. Ah, this is REAL death metal! Take the best parts of Possessed, Hell Awaits-era Slayer, early Death, early Samael, Morbid Angel, Mercyful Fate, Candlemass, Black Sabbath, and roll it into one pissed off bombshell, and you've got this album.

The music is usually pretty simple, with the musicians playing just well enough to give it a rough yet competent edge. The drums sound especially loud and mean, just the way I love them. The lead guitarist is by no means Trey Azagthoth, but he puts in something over the top and tasteful in all the right places. There are a few really bizarre samples thrown in at the beginning of songs, and dark fucking keyboards where they are needed. Now, those are used to some really amazing effect.

Oh, did I mention that the drum sound is probably the best death metal drum sound ever?

Jeff Gruslin's vocals are easily some of my favourite in the whole world of death metal. I know that everyone loves Glen Benton, but Jeff has a very unique growl. It's obscure, sounding like some cacodemon speaking through a person possessed. Almost processed, but it's not, which makes him sound even more sinister. He will throw in the occasional scream, which then comes across very organic and even unexpected. He's got a new band, Godless Rising, so luckily he's still out doing something with his killer vocals.

This was a very organic album, recorded with no triggered drums and very little supression on the guitars. When everyone was recording at Morrisound, getting a nice, even and clean sound, Vital Remains got a dirty, mean and downright wicked sound on here.

Let Us Pray sounds VERY threatening.

I've listened to follow-up albums, and they impress me quite a bit less than this, because they tended to focus more on speed rather than the evil atmosphere.