SYMBOLIC

The greatest death metal album of all time. Surprisingly, that opinion isn't too unpopular. Symbolic was pretty much Death's musical climax, it was the album where they truly pulled out everything that they were capable of doing. The brutality and heaviness of their first three albums and the technicality and progressive-ness of the two previous albums, Human and Individual Thought Patterns, were combined in Symbolic (and later on, in The Sound Of Perseverance).

And it was a godly combination. When I say it's the pinnacle of Death metal, I mean it. Practically all Death metal bands took something from this album, it's practically the embodiment of the genre. The growls, the technical and melodic guitar solos, the ridiculously fast drums, the highly-noticeable bass in the mixing... it's all in this album. And it's all executed with delightful precision.

This album also features one of the most iconic death metal songs, which makes sense considering how iconic this album is: Crystal Mountain! Probably the most quintessential death metal song, and my personal favorite. It's brutal and crushing, yet melodic and (somehow) soothing at some points.

So, yes, this album is essential. There's pretty much no other way to describe it, so go listen it yourself. To me, and to the majority (would say >90%) of the death metal fan base this is essential. Five Stars.

Share this DEATH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to King Brimstone
• Report this review (#2542651)
• Buy DEATH music online with PA partners
• Show all DEATH MP3/Stream
• Go to DEATH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Symbolic page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEATH related discussions