SYMBOLIC

Death's Symbolic is one of many metal albums that totally altered my perception on what music could be. More specifically, how extreme music could be, and how good that extreme music, could be! Within the 9 songs displayed on Symbolic, you're taken on a sprawling journey and display of filthy riff after filthy riff. The production is incredibly perfect and it's really the drums that stand as a mighty backbone to the rest of the music. Though all the songs sound incredibly heavy and evil, there's still a plethora of melody and groove to latch onto, I often find passages of this album getting stuck in my head. The album runs at nine tracks and about 50 minutes of music without a minute wasted. From the progressive and driving title track, to that fiery and catchy Crystal Mountain, to the crushing and atmospheric Perennial Quest, everything about Symbolic is essential. It's almost like the meeting of the spirits of all of Deaths potential and talents, the perfect Death album. My favorite track is the brutal Zero Tolerance, the main hook and the underlying chugging guitar part is especially nasty. Iconic record, perfect for someone who might be into heavier thrash or prog metal bands, but has never quite made the leap into Death Metal. On the following album, I think they embrace the progressive elements and schizophrenic song structures further, but to me Symbolic still holds up as the crown jewel of the Death discography.

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