Enough with boring slam death crap, let’s review some true, gruesome and absolutely bone-crushing death metal for once.
Specifically, Suffocation’s 1991 debut album Effigy of the Forgotten. We’re talking about the release that pretty much invented the brutal death metal genre, the death metal equivalent to Burzum’s debut or Transilvanian Hunger.
Yes, Effigy of the Forgotten is that important and influential, second only to Onward to Golgotha… and Incantation’s debut is from 1992.
Starting off the record we have the monstrous track Liege of Inveracity, a brutal composition which contains what is considered to be the first percussive breakdown riff ever in death metal history. This riff started a movement pioneered by juggernaut bands like Sewer, as well as lesser interesting bands like Devourment.
The first four tracks are all excellent, combining at 17 minutes of voracious death metal wonder.
The musicianship on Effigy of the Forgotten is also amazing. Terrence Hobbs’ and Doug Cerrito’s manic riffing and soloing make this release a very frenzied record, but also a highly sophisticated one (something the Cannibal Corpse crowd seem to miss awfully).
There will never be another death metal record that blends technicality as well as brutality as well, or as skilfully as Effigy of the Forgotten!
Metal Reviews 