THE ? BOOK

It took another three years for SSTTGD to come back with their third album. As is implied by the title, this was a concept album, which saw them keep the same line-up but bring in many more guest musicians, especially singers. It also saw Martin Schnella assisting on guitar for a couple of songs, and he would be a full-time member by the time of the next album. The story is based on the Biblical story of creation, and contains some of their heaviest material both lyrically and musically. "The Crying Child (1st Nail)" has Andreas blasting out the riffs and providing some great runs while Marek is on a Hammond and Ulf provides a heavy backbeat so that it comes across almost as if Meshuggah were crossed with Uriah Heep. Of course, being SSTTGD the song doesn't stay like that for too long, with Marek switching to piano and Andreas to acoustic, and a child taking a vocal role to foil against Ronny Gruber.

It is always risky bringing religion into music as it tends to upset people in one way or another. Me, I have never let it worry me, so if Neal Morse (for example) wants to sing about his beliefs then that is fine with me as I will stay enjoy what is being performed, and the same goes for the many black metal or death metal bands. I can honestly say that I have never been inspired to do anything suggested by Cannibal Corpse, which is just as well both for the other person involved and also because I would end up in jail. For me it is all about the music and what is happening with the song, and on that score it is yet another really interesting album that I have enjoyed playing immensely. If I was to rate it against the others I would probably say that it is the one I enjoyed least, and that had nothing to do with the lyrics but more that it wasn't quite as eclectic as the others, but when put up against other bands it still more than stands the test. This is the one I would point to last of the four albums to date, but still very worthwhile hearing indeed.