I know this will date me heavily, but I know exactly where I purchased this album, and began my new journey into more extreme metal, up that point I was a metal head, listening to all types, searching for what I enjoyed the most. There was no one in my area into the music that attracted me, therefore the album art influenced me heavily and heard from others in passing what to lean into and stay away from, basically hit or miss trial by guesswork. The store was called Listening Booth, at the Deptford Mall, lower level, and there it was this sick look horror-inspired album, and song titles which captured my attention, once home putting the cassette on and it was like WTF am I listening too, it grabbed my focus.
Now there’s a long-time battle of thought of which band founded the term ‘death metal was it Death, with Chuck Schuldiner, to some the originator of advancing the subgenre and was considered by many as the “father of death metal” or Possessed’s ‘Seven Churches’ (October 1985) however their album ‘Death Metal’ released in 1984. Nonetheless, others venture to include Hellhammer’s ‘Apocalyptic Raids’ (1984) though it is considered Blackened Death than pure Death Metal therefore, Death released ‘Death By Metal’ (1984) a demo and would lead to three years later, a series of 25-demo albums before the triumphant success of ‘Scream Bloody Gore’ on May 25, 1987. Whichever path you choose to follow the entry to death metal proved to become a worthwhile venture as it breathes and breeds many battles tested bands even today
Chuck brought together an unflinching and uncompromising intense album, his sweat and genius gave birth to morbid tracks, with complex musical direction and powerful lyric content. His vocals shredded through each song, back in thrash style riffs and making for a legendary status feeding masses and achieved instant cult status. As many know metal and the horror genre are a blessed marriage, and the songs on the album clearly influence them aside from jus the titles rather into the lyrics such as “Zombie Ritual” was inspired by Zombie [1979] and “Regurgitated Guts” from repeated viewings of City of the Living Dead [1980] both legendary Italian director Lucio Fulci. While “Evil Dead” comes clearly from Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead [1981] and finally “Torn to Pieces” is said to derived influences from both Cannibal Ferox [1981] and Re-Animator [1985]. The music delivers a primal attack onto the listeners’ senses, effective in 1987 equally timeless now, especially when some of the newer fans discover that “Sacrificial” was originally entitled Sacrificial Cunt, but Combat Records, wanted to change that – I wonder why, if the band refused they would not have granted distribution.
Although for all intents and purposes a solo album, as Schuldiner balanced all guitar and vocal duties, the infamous Chris Reifert would provide his indicative style, those who listen his band Autopsy understand precisely that primal and perhaps better word is primitive. Especially when heard on “Mutilation” and supporting the wicked riffs on “Sacrificial,” then on into “Baptized in Blood” the quality is fine and delivers intensity never relenting even for a moment. Although, not knowing in 1987 that the band consisted of only two members for the demos it sounds as if a complete arose of a pool of blood allowing their skeletal remains to unearth this new creation upon the masses.
The band consisted of only two upon at the released of the album, Chuck played bass and guitar, while handling the vocals, and support drums by Chris Reifert the only time he played with band, needless this setback, didn’t hinder their influence and existence. The actual album was recorded twice, first in California but Combat Records, didn’t’ approve of the mix and had it redone in Florida; incidentally that state became the launching area for death metal with such bands as Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Deicide. For those aware Reifert went on to head the death metal band Autopsy, equally influence with Chuck’s work releasing their first demo seven months later also in 1987; stay the lead vocalist and drummer even to the recent release ‘Morbidity Triumphant’. The music does have incredible hooked riffs, intensely powerful sinister drumming all layered with infernal lyrics and howling vocals and features legendary artwork by Ed Repka.
Tracks Listing:
Infernal Death
Zombie Ritual
Denial of Life
Sacrificial
Mutilation
Regurgitated Guts
Baptized in Blood
Torn to Pieces
Evil Dead
Scream Bloody Gore
Line-up:
Chuck Schuldiner – vocals, lead & rhythm guitars, bass
Chris Reifert – drums
The album itself is brutal, but Chuck continued to develop the band into a more technical death metal style, rather than a one-direction style of Cannibal Corpse. For those that consider the album mere noise or boring, aren’t true fans of the genre, the musicianship is top-notch, and “Zombie Ritual” is likely an addictive listening song, though my favorite is “Scream Bloody Gore” with violent intense lyrics. It’s always amazing that no one ever complained or ever graced at a holy roller damnation list, yet it likely wouldn’t deter this band from achieving a legendary status.
Baron’s Rating: 5.0/5.0
Band Info:
https://www.facebook.com/DeathOfficial
Label Links:
https://relapserecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/relapserecords/