ATROCITY's debut
album is what I like to call 'Weird Death Metal'. Back when this came out
there wasn't much you could compare it to. Now, it seems that many Death
Metal bands are playing this fragmented form of music. Though I ended up
liking a lot of what this band came out with later, I don't care much for
this seminal release. To me it sounds as if the band decided that they
were going to be different than all the other bands that were arriving
on the scene in the late 80's/early 90's and ended up trying a little too
hard. The end result is an album that, albeit very well produced, sounds
like a mish-mash of fragmented riffs, time-changes, and vocal growls that
remind me of a puzzle whose pieces have been jammed together even though
they don't fit. Its mean, ugly music that is made less enjoyable by songs
written with bizarre technicality, out-of-synch rythms, blast-beating drums
and some disgusting lyrics (Read the words to the first track - disgusting!).
I have listened to this disc many times over, trying to find something
enjoyable in it but I always end up thinking what a weird bunch of guys
these must have been. ATROCITY are loved by many, myself included but for
their material that came after Hallucinations.
I can appreciate
the effort the band made in trying to develop a totally new style and yes,
they're brutal, heavy and talented musicians but I just can't get used
to this strange grab-bag of juxtaposed riffing. I will, however, recommend
this album to lovers of extreme music, especially those who enjoy the latest
releases by technical Death Metal bands that utilize lots of time changes,
blast beats and the occasional out-of-tune riff.
Hallucinations
is not a bad album, in fact you might argue its very good if this sort
of obscurity gets you off. Certainly the title fits it like a glove because
this is music for your hallucinations! Its just not what I crave.
Defeated Intellect
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