INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS

I have always been a fan of Death, and like all of their albums from first to last. However, "Individual Thought Patterns" is my personal favorite. While it may not be Death's most progressive album, it is their most technical. However, they do it well. One fatal flaw I have noticed with technical metal bands is that they became slaves to it. They seemingly go out of their way to show it until they almost become too technical for their own good. However, this album keeps its technicality while still progressing.

I personally think this is Death's best lineup. As always Chuck Schuldiner is on guitar and vocals. While still maintaining his death growl, he starts to take a higher pitched screaming on this album. His guitar work is amazing as usual. Chuck still plays his death metal riffs, but also shows off his technicality. Some of his most technical riffs are "In Human Form", "Trapped in a Corner" and "Overactive Imagination". Chuck's solos are just superb on this album.

Andy LaRocque may take the role of rhythm guitar on this album, but he lays down some very nice ones. He is a great compliment to Chuck and they make some great dual guitar harmonies. Andy does get some solo's on the album, and they are good ones at that! Steve DiGiorgio, playing a fretless bass, really adds another dimension to this album. His jazzy bass lines are heard under the crushing riffs, and besides being superb bass lines it just sounds so cool! "Out of Touch" is a great example as well as, "Mentally Blind".

That brings us to Gene Hoglan, "the Atomic Clock". This is a perfect nick name. His technical drumming, at such high speeds, and accuracy are only achieved by a select few. Even his blast beats show some technicality, (he often uses alternating single and double bass hits). His use of double bass is excellent, Hoglan uses it in the actual beat of the song, giving it a great feel. He shows the ability to play technical/complex beats and has a great range of musical styles. Gene can also throw down some mean double bass. Every song for him is gold, but a few prime examples are "Individual Thought Patterns" and "Trapped in a Corner"

The standout song on this album is "The Philosopher" their most famous song. However, every song on the album is good. Their may not be a few stand outs, but none of them are weak. While some say this album was the transition from technical inspired death metal to prog metal, and therefore does not feature the best of each. I disagree, I think it displays both technicality and some prog.

Overall, a great album with no glaring weak points. Like any Death album, I would avoid if you do not like metal. However, if you do this is an essential!