Various Artists

Item: Chords of the Grave
Author: Fetus

Chords of the Grave

(1998)

Reviewed by Fetus

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Label Cross Rhythms MusicDead Zine1998

death metal grindcore hardcore metal

Chords of the Grave is my new kitty, get your own! Four (OK 5, kind of) bands in one tidy package, and as often as the "death" name is falsely slapped on anybody with distortion, everybody reeks of death here, no question. Unfortunately, "death" seems to be the fitting term because all of the bands are no longer (the B in Bummer.)

OBLITERATION (4 tracks)

Why did these guys change their sound when they became DEATHLIST? This has much greater depth and intensity than the drowsiness of their present sound. The production on the drums is less crisp (this is good, I think they use triggers now); though, the pristine, clicky X2 bass unfortunately remains. The vocalist, Rikky Pukkett, never spanked me with DEATHLIST, but was vastly better here, reminiscent of the early stuff from Chris Barnes (CANNIBAL CORPSE). Every song was equal in quality, plenty of blast, saucy riffing, amplitude tempo whips, and aggression. I really wish Obliteration would have never "matured" into DEATHLIST.

EVISCERATION (3 tracks)

I don't have a clue what happened to this band after they broke up. This is the weakest band on the comp. They are heavy, but the vocalist seems to be the "service breakdown" above anything else. The dude does fair with the guttural flow (similar to older GORGUTS), but his voice starts to crack into disturbing pieces almost every time he trails into the higher ending conclusions. The music is pretty harsh, yet remains colorless. The guitar riffing and drums are pretty "run of the mill" American style death. I can't say Evisceration totally sucks, but are nothing "gleefully special".

DISENCUMBRANCE (3 decimating tracks)

RUN AWAY! (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) RUN AWAY! It has been over a year since I first heard Disencumbrance and my colon is still spasming in horror! Of any death band that has dared to call themselves Christian, you will find nothing as dismembering. After you read the lyrics and write these mongers off as Satanist, do note, all of these are about the snare of Satanism when the lie unfolds. "Dementions of Reality" rips straight into the blast beatings of Karel Fiferna. Joe Espinoza's throat hangs with the guttural masters from CANNIBAL CORPSE (Chris Barnes, not duh George) CRIMSON THORN, BROKEN HOPE, and MORTITCIAN. Let me not forget to mention the blackish vox (Richard Bruce) that are emitted nearly as often as the lower vocals. These vocals are the "lashing, wounded animal" higher pitch, frequent in death band backups more so than shrill black. Used in unison, they tyrannize. All three tracks are insane and lack nothing in any area. Well, maybe production, but it's pretty decent. Multiple tempo alterations, utter brutality, quality high/low vox, bass breaks, and blurring speed make this an immortal demo. "Suicide" may as well be continuous blast! Now that this is on CD, I can play it in my car and witness the atrocity in my rear view mirror. The drummer and lead guitar/ vocalist have started a new band, DETRIMENTAL, who no longer fit the "Christian band" label, but focus more on the "10 o'clock news" calamity topics. That's too bad because they OWNED the belt in the Christian death scene.

OBLATION (4 tracks)

This band gives the feel of the older goods from bands like UNLEASHED, MORGOTH, and early ENTOMBED. Billy Frasier (DISCERN) sounds like he's trying to drive his drum kit into the concrete with a jackhammer! The vocals from Mitch Reese are throaty, but are best classified in the mid-range death category. Where most death bands fail in melodic guitar solos, Oblation does not. IMMOLATION seems to be who I think of most here. Do not be confused, the solos are not in the "happy" vein, but focus on accelerated scales and the "epic" death melody. The guitar work is the best on the entire comp. Whipping from speed to doomy sludge, Oblation takes a virtuous 2nd place behind DISENCUMBRANCE on this disc.

FLESH WALKER (1 track)

This is a bonus track from a band I've never heard of. Old school death metal, POW! A live recording, "Live at the Terminus" takes me back to my Jr. high days of jammin' to SLAYER, KREATOR, and POSSESSED. Unrefined death for you kids who wonder what the scene sounded like during the Reagan administration.

Hats off to Cross Rhythms for dishing this out when the Christian death scene seems to be idle on quality releases at the moment. Chords of the Grave..............the quickest way to an eviction notice

9/10