Oh, how the fan boys on Encyclopedia Metallum wailed. I think's it's impressive that an album with 19 reviews can average 30%. That makes it worse than St. Anger. Worse than Risk.
I liked this album. It's not nearly as bad as they say, though far from their best. It's an industrial tinged album in the vein of Ministry, with some Laiback influences thrown in here and there. This album marks the return of David Vincent on vocals and bass. The album is cut in half between the more traditional death metal songs and the industrial tracks. The death is standard issue Morbid Angel, helped along by the crisp production, and the drum program is barely noticeable, and actually helps with the precision. 'Heretic', their last album, was buried in muddy sound, and the clear distinction of instruments is welcome. The best of the death metal songs is 'Nevermore', with it's ferocious mid-pace precision, dissonant riffery, and psychotic ambiance. It's classic Morbid Angel. The other death metal songs chug alongs at varying speeds, but tend to be unmemorable, except come solo time, as Trey Azagthoth is in fine form.
And then there are the new forays into industrial metal, most certainly influenced by David Vincent's tenure with The Genitorturers. They all sound unmistakably like Morbid Angel, except for the awful Radicult, the only real embarrassment on the album. It is a Marilyn Manson throw away, complete with cliche whispers over palm muted riffs, and even if the song contains a few sharp riffs, it's just sad that they are wasted on such a stinker of a song.
But on the otherhand, there is the awesome, monster motherfucker that is 'Destructos Vs. the Earth / Attack'. It is a slow crawling and relentless chugathon, a fun(!) B-Movie romp that explores new territory for the band. The clearly enunciated lyrics and the music meld perfectly in a crushing, earth shattering groove. It is so good that it nearly overshadows all the other songs on the album. The other industrial songs aquite themselves just fine, not The Berzerker heavy or fast by any means, but this is definitely not Rob Zombie territory, either. Above all, the quality of the riffs and guitar solos shine through.
Anyway, this is not a bad experiment by any means. I can understand the change in direction, since they have been treading water ever since 'Formulas Fatal To The Flesh'. So you should calm down, lighten up, and not let your conservative attitudes towards death metal hamper your enjoyment of the good tunes this album has to offer.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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