DEATH

Can I say, at this point, that "Symbolic" is an album that I love madly because of the musicians involved? Maybe yes. But it's not like that. Ok, it is but... The music is nothing short of wonderful. And that matters more than anything. That, then, it is not always at the level of a masterpiece is something that is noticeable but is not fundamental. I would start with Bobby Koelble, the guitarist that Chuck Schuldiner recruited for this album. For many, one of many, but not only for me, a fundamental member. Today he is a renowned and successful Jazz guitarist, teaches guitar at colleges and universities and has written a method for future blind and learning disabled and learning disabled guitarists. On drums is Gene Hoglan. Can I stop there? Nooo... I'll just tell you that he is one of my five favorite drummers. The bands he has played/plays in are: Death, Old Man's Child, Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad, Forbidden, Dethklok, Testament, Meldrum, Tenet and I have to say that they are all extraordinary bands. His precision is unique and his power is unmatched! On bass is Steve Di Giorgio's replacement... Probably an impossible substitution to make. And, instead, Kelly Conlon does it perfectly. He was a discovery of Chuck Schuldiner and it was a fantastic discovery. Lead guitar, vocals and composition are by Chuck Schuldiner. As a singer he is perfect in the use of growl and has a superb technique. As a guitarist... He will always remain one of the 10 best guitarists in history. As a composer there is no discussion.

The music of "Symbolic"? Here and there the experts of Technical Death, Death and Melodic Death point out that there are parts that are predictable and not perfect but not tired. Right they work. However the skill of the musicians manages to make everything seem perfect and at maximum perfection. The music of "Symbolic"? Here and there the experts of Technical Death, Death and Melodic Death point out that there are parts that are predictable and not perfect but not tired. Right, they work. However, the skill of the musicians manages to make everything seem perfect and at maximum perfection. "Symbolic" is the classic album produced in Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida. Jim Morris and Chuck Schuldiner produce a perfect album from the point of view of production for cleanliness of sound and power as well as for feeling and emotion. The technical aspect... is superb. The melodic aspect... Ditto! and that's not easy on an album that is both Technical Death Metal and Melodic Death Metal!

In conclusion... I can tell you that in the Technical Death Metal field I don't know what other album can compete 100% with "Symbolic"? In the Melodic Death Metal field there are many albums by Swedish bands that I won't list here. But only one comes close to it 100% and it is a semi-melodic death metal album and that is "Heartwork" by Carcass. And, squeezing, squeezing... "Symbolic" is an album to know, love and take to the grave if you truly love real music!

The Sound Of Perserverance is one of the best albums ever, every moment, every riff, every note... everything is played with great mastery, it's scary how much this album elevates everything that Human has established, a truly progressive work, be it the polyrhythm insane of ''Bite the Pain'' or the build and stop-and-go riffs of ''Story to Tell'', The Sound Of Perserverance is one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life, and definitely a masterpiece.

10/10

1. "Overactive Imagination" (3:30) sometimes obnoxious, though always impressive drumming. Other than the riffing, these are not very complicated song structures. (8.25/10)

2. "In Human Form" (3:55) the drumming and lack of space in the music (sonic clutter) bring this one down for me. (8.5/10)

3. "Jealousy" (3:39) some jazzier drumming and snaking guitar and bass play helps. I wish the instrumentalists would go off in their own independently creative directions more often. I like that I can distinguish between the two guitarists' styles easily during their solos. (8.75/10)

4. "Trapped in a Corner" (4:11) A little space goes a long way! As well as some twists and turns along the journey. A top three song. (8.75/10)

5. "Nothing Is Everything" (3:16) again, why does everybody have to travel so tightly? I find, in particular, the bass player's allegiance to the rhythms and paces set by the others annoying. Several themes here thrown together. (8.75/10)

6. "Mentally Blind" (4:45) the singing here is actually quite decipherable--and humane! Poor guy! My favorite song on the album. (9/10)

7. "Individual Thought Patterns" (4:00) after a THIN LIZZY twin guitar start, the band syncs up to chugg along beneath Chuck's carefully articulated screams. Some more nice TL shifts and turns along the way. Not bad despite the baseline galloping rhythm tracks. (8.75/10)

8. "Destiny" (4:04) What?! Softly arpeggiated guitars? Acoustic guitars?!?! Just a ruse. The onslaught soon descends. Nice separation between bass, drums, and twin guitars. Spacious beneath the chorus! Another top three song. (9/10)

9. "Out of Touch" (4:19) What?! Slow, plodding bombastic proggy rock?! Again, just a tease. The band devolves into head-banging before the end of the opening minute. A couple of speeds are explored, which is interesting, but one of the motifs is just so cliché metal, another classic heavy rock. But, still, keeps the listeners on their toes! Nice effort by the band to keep together through all of the changes.(9/10)

10. "The Philosopher" (4:10) another one with a surprising "classic rock/prog" opening. Even beneath Chuck's metronomic syllabically-punctuated growls the music retains something of the 1980s metal scene. Even an out-of-place "Classic rock" guitar solo in the middle of the second minute. (8.75/10)

Total Time 39:49

I wish I could find it in myself to enjoy and appreciate this music more. The guitar work is very impressive and mesmerizing; the rest is unmemorable, repetitive, and disposable. The genius is to be able to find inspiration to sing (or, in this case, growl, bellow, and scream) over this music! (Too bad I don't hear/comprehend lyrics.)

B/four stars; an excellent album for all you Metal fans; an artistic case point for study and reflection for the rest of us.

1. "Flattening of Emotions" (4:28) impressive sound, technical skill, and timing. Great albeit brief lead guitar touches. But that vocal! (8.5/10)

2. "Suicide Machine" (4:19) flat. (8/10)

3. "Together as One" (4:06) a little variation in the screaming. (8.5/10)

4. "Secret Face" (4:36) less vocal presence = more instrumental shine. (8.75/10)

5. "Lack of Comprehension" (3:39) What! Sensitivity and delicacy--and flanged drums and effected guitar! Short-lived but interesting. (8.25/10)

6. "See Through Dreams" (4:26) I find the time shifts on this one, as well its bridges and extended guitar solos, to be more in the vein of music that I like--despite the fact that the time shifts often feel a bit random and inexplicable (i.e. unnecessary). I like hearing the bass this prominently. (9/10)

7. "Cosmic Sea" (4:23) An instrumental! paced a little more humanely over its first half, with more standard metal arrangement and sonicsphere, this one definitely feels more like what I'd call "progressive rock music" or "prog." guest bassist Skott Carino's work is also quite prominent and interesting. The second half's STEVE VAI-like guitar work is also different and quite impressive. This, to me, is a great prog metal song, one filled with more broad strokes and effects than most of the other songs. (10/10)

8. "Vacant Planets" (3:48) the sound is now well established, as are the vocal stylings, here we get to hear some more extended lead guitar solos. As impressive is the drummer's low end stamina, the snare work here does not always fit very well with the guitars and bass. (8.5/10)

Total Time 33:45

I am most impressed with the skill of these musicians--especially with drumer Sean Reinert and the way guitarist Paul Masvidal can sneak in some incredibly effective and memorable lead flourishes into such small spaces.

B/four stars; a solid submission to Prog World that will probably be an exciting addition to any Prog Metal lover's music collection.

Chuck Schuldiner has already made revolutionary changes within the genre with 'Human', which introduced and started Death's more progressive era. Symbolic is the culmination of this era, a culmination that would persist even on the next album. The high-pitched growls and insane technique from the musicians combined with Chuck's melodic guitar solos make up for one hell of a treat.

An undisputed classic within death metal. This record was miracle when it was released and it still is. Five Stars, no doubt.

In all honesty, The Sound Of Perseverance is kinda like Individual Thought Patterns in how they both follow up legendary albums and don't really add much to the genre compared to their predecessors, but regardless, they're both solid and very well made albums.

This album continues the melodic progressive death metal sound that Symbolic established, and it does an excellent job, at some points doing even better than Symbolic itself. The Death you'll hear in this record is miles more mature than the one in Scream Bloody Gore or Spiritual Healing. This record is highly recommend and it's for sure one of the best of the genre. Five Stars.

The album presents the sheer brilliance of the band which mastered the combination of progressive and technical death metal and didn't sound too pompous at the same time. One of the top technical death metal albums.