LEPROSY

Death's second album comes only a year after their landmark debut, Scream Bloody Gore. Within Leprosy there are more intense rhythmic patterns, howling vocals and bone- crushing riffs that helped, if not single-handedly created the genre of death metal.

Right from the off, the title track sets the scene for a frankly terrifying album; don't be fooled by the seemingly mid-tempo start, for within seconds we're flying down the thrash highway. The song construction differs slightly from their previous album, with tracks now averaging four minutes and up to over six, rather than an average of three to four.

Leprosy is a continuation of the carnage developed within Scream Bloody Gore. Chuck's vocals are wild, just listen to Left To Die where the master growls like a demon from hell and wails like a crazed banshee as his band fly the flag of a new form of thrash metal for all to see, whether they like it or not.

The obvious highlight comes with Pull the Plug; a masterpiece of metal riffage and thrash intensity. The guitars of Schuldiner and Rozz plunge into the trademark doom riff before circling around many alternations as the vocals deploy the evil screeches upon the unworthy. Arguably Death's most iconic track, certainly from their early albums before changing into the more technical/progressive textures of later records. The guitar solos are technically brilliant and fit the music perfectly, the drums are ferocious, everything is ferocious. It's not all full throttle, there are time changes and speed alternations, allowing for expression and a development in song structure which is good to hear.

Top Three Tracks:

1) Pull the Plug 2) Leprosy 3) Open Casket Leprosy is a great movement from Death's debut; it contains memorable riffs, iconic vocals that continue to influence bands to this day. The album deserves its place among the top thrash records of the time. Sure, the album has highs and lows; the musicality may at times seem repetitive, but there are some serious highlights here such as Open Casket and Pull the Plug, definitely shining above tracks such as Primitive Ways which lacks the same richness and identity. A highlight in the Death discography, Chuck delivers another enjoyable listen, awesome artwork as well.