Decapitated "The Negation" CD
[Earache]
This band is one of the best no frills death metal bands out there right now, and they have been ever since their debut dropped. They're great fucking musicians, they write some of the best riffs this side of death metal since the early-90's, they play wicked solos, they've got brutality matched with a respectable level of complexity, etc. Thankfully the recording on this record is way better than it was last time out. It's clearer, thicker, and more balanced, and that makes a huge difference. The drums are still rigid, but appropriately so. They're well mixed and there is a certain level of density there. Plus, you can actually hear the bass, and the guitar tone is incredibly precise. In some ways the band's songwriting is starting to run in circles, as the memorable riffing in "Three-Dimensional Defect" is oddly similar to some of the better songs from their last disc, and the quick feedback instrumental "The Calling" is unnecessary, but "Sensual Sickness" and title track are more discordant and moderately paced, which is a welcome changeup from all the speed in my opinion. Faster and more straightforward ragers like "Lying and Weak" are strong songs, but they're just not memorable like the slower pieces that really let the band's mighty riffs run the show. The last track is a bonus cover of Deicide's "Lunatic of God's Creation", which I really like in its original form, but I must say that Decapitated's rendition feels rather lifeless to me. I don't know, it's actually one of the most boring songs herein. Go figure. The layout's not bad. The color scheme and textures/iconic imagery are consistent throughout, the type looks decent, etc. The jewel case comes with one of this slip cases around it, but I'm not sure why they printed the exact same art on the slipcase as is found in the jewel case - thus overriding the use of the slipcase altogether. The lyrics range from uninteresting to terrible, definitely even worse than in the past, oddly enough, and the first track nails that point home rather painfully: "I hate you! I hate us! You know what I mean? Fuck off!" What!? Come on, what is that all about!? Not all of the lyrics are nearly that bad, but that passage really kills it for me... Fuck it, though. This band is near the top of my list for contemporary death metal. If they could get to the point where all of their songs are played with the same sense of feeling and creativity as their strongest tracks, I'd easily bump them above a 7/10. But for now they're still pushing towards being an even greater act. If you liked their first two CD's you'd be foolish not to grab this one. (7/10)
Running time - 32:54, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: Three-Dimensional Defect, Sensual Sickness, The Negation, The Empty Throne]
Decapitated - http://www.decapitated.net

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