SYMBOLIC

Death was a band that evolved from album to album and reached it's highest point with "Symbolic" in 1995. Undoubtedly, Death's masterpiece of music, the record is an intense extension of death metal's limits using high technique and balance. The album follows a straight melodic line that oscillates between electric and acoustic creating great atmosphere and harsh feelings. One of the main characteristics of "Symbolic" is it's speed, the execution being done quickly and precisely showing much sophistication and complexity. The lead guitar collaborates very well with the rhythm one, demonstrating ingenious patterns and a large perspective regarding music. The drums are impressive and nevertheless technique. The rhythm isn't monotonous at all, the persecutions being serene or intense depending on the lead guitar and the vocals. Chuck plays his wild screaming vocals once more on "Symbolic" giving it an atrocious attitude. As mentioned before, all the songs have similar structures, but all of them are masterpieces: "Symbolic" opens the album with it's aggressive riffs [9/10] being followed by the distortersed "Zero Tolerance" [9/10]. The atmosphere changes with "Empty Words" and it's acoustic beginning [9/10] but with a rough continuation that is shifted to serenity by "Sacred Serenity" [10/10]. The psychotic "1000 Eyes" continues the melodic line of the record [9/10] while "Without Judgement" draws some drastic riffs over the listener's ears [9/10]. "Crystal Mountain" is the mots complex track [10/10] and prepares the acoustic sphere for the radical "Misanthrope" [9/10]. The album finishes with the long and meditative "Perennial Quest" [8/10]. The production is OK, but I was expecting more diversity. Final impression:8/10

(9+9+9+10+9+9+10+9+8+8)/10=9