SYMBOLIC

Symbolic is perhaps one of my all-time favourite Death records, from their superior quality catalogue. Steve G has been replaced by Kelly Conlon, who does he's task fine but doesn't match the Jaco Pastorius of metal. We still have the Atomic Clock Hoglan behind the drum kit, and shit, does that guy know how to drum. Pure excellency i'd say. Bobby Koelble, a pal of Chuck tears some awesome solos on this album on the songs Symbolic, Zero Tolerance and Perennial Quest.

The title song defines the word quality. Chuck's vocals are are bit more high-pitched than on the previous ones, but still, pure rage. The riffs, the solos and Gene's drumming, basically on every song, something that can't be cheered enough. Zero Tolerance has an orgasmic instrumental part after the first chorus, Empty Words is one of the most famous Death songs. The chorus is cathy and gives me chills everytime i listen to it. Sacred Serenity continues the good chosen road, but 1,000 Eyes, one of the angriest songs from the technical era of Death. The riffs will crush against the wall.

Without Judgment, what would we do? I surely don't know. All hail Evil Chuck! Crystal Mountain is another well-known song on the album. It would be blasphemy to talk about "hit-material" considering Death, but this would be something like that. Just awesome. Misanthrope, hater of all mankind. I'm running out of words here, it's too much perfection. Perennial Quest works as the closer. And it works well, the vocal parts are bit crooked and proggy but that's just bonus. The album ends nicely with some acoustic chilling.

Must have for metalheads and for some heavier proggers too, the symbol of awesome audio madness.