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© Combat/Relativity 1991
DEATH
Individual Thought Patterns
It was of no surprise to see DEATH with another radical line-up change. This had now become common practice for Schuldiner who, as just about everyone knows is DEATH. He's been criticized heavily in more ways than one by people who have worked with him for a variety of reasons. Whatever the root of the animosity many held for him, there is no denying his talents as both a guitarist and songwriter. Chuck does what he wants to do and does it in his style. If it wasn't for his efforts all these years there would be no DEATH to be raving over. Well, here comes Chuck again with yet another release, DEATH's 5th, this time brandishing the title of Individual Thought Patterns. Heck, the title itself reeks of maturity doesn't it?The addition of Gene Hoglan (ex-DARK ANGEL) was a wise decision on Schuldiner's part and that becomes almost immediately evident on the opening track, "Overactive Imagination". Hoglan's talents are pretty widely known around the underground scene. I got to know him reasonably well throughout the years I followed DARK ANGEL. A fantastic drummer, Gene really highlights many parts of this album. I think production wise DEATH may have taken a slight step backward on this one however. The sound is as clean as you are going to get on a Death Metal album (I now begin hesitating calling DEATH a Death Metal band). Like Spiritual Healing though, it may be a tad overproduced; again on the drum side. It doesn't detract a whole lot from the musical quality but I'm left wishing the recording was a bit more unrestrained. Above all though, I think the musicianship is probably the best DEATH have brought to the table. Teamed up with Andy Laroque, Schuldiner & Co. just dazzle you with some intense rhythms and high-precision melodic leads.
Individual Thought Patterns is a bit more technically structured an album than was Human but also a bit less heavy due to the sound engineering (this doesn't mean it isn't heavy because it is!). Its about as polished a DEATH album as you will ever hear in fact. DEATH race through ten songs of progressive Death/Thrash pausing here and there on various tracks with clever tempo breaks that utilize fluid melodies and synthesizers in a few instances to really add good depth and atmosphere. Though I like something in just about every track, It isn't necessarily their best material to date but darn close to it. I guess what it boils down to is DEATH's consistency to remain heavy and true to their style while spreading out the best songs over all their albums. This makes you always look forward to hearing the next DEATH recording because you are almost guaranteed to hear something you like.
I think lyrically DEATH improve on this album. Its in the same style as that done on Human, words to make you think rather than the typical death and horror you get with most other bands of this genre.
Top to bottom its a fine release that continues the band's reign of supremacy. Though I may favor Human slightly more for it's more rough-edged feel, Individual Thought Patterns is by no means an album to ignore. Its a must for any fan of DEATH's music.
