Holy shit, this has to be one of the most impressive death metal albums of all time. Of course, you'd expect that from Chuck Schuldiner and his Death team, but this is laughably genial in every sense, the main man tragically died shortly after, making this the final Death record, but what a way to go, yet sadly such a loss to the scene. As bands such as Slayer found themselves fading into commercial streams, Death opened new doors and explored avenues never even dreamed of in the death metal world. Chuck was a great man, Death without doubt the finest death metal act on the planet who pretty much began the whole scene with their sounds of early gore, but wow, did they come along way. 'The Sound...' is a spiralling, often melodic, highly complex yet thoroughly riveting record where Chcuk has decided to assemble three relatively unknown musicians in Shannon Hamm, Scott Clendenin and drummer Richard Cristy who had the unenviable task of filling the booms made by Gene Hoglan. On this record you'd think the band had been together forever, somehow fusing elements of jazzed up progressive rock with tight as Hell percussion, each member of the band pulling their weight to construct one heck of a huge web of sound. Once you've listened for the hundredth time and managed to scrape the surface, you'll still be asking, is that really Chuck on vocals ? Gone are the clear yet guttural growls, now replaced by dry screeches, akin to Sadus. And at the end of the blitz the band somehow churn out an apocalyptic version of Priest's 'Painkiller' anthem with Chuck shattering glass. This is a very new Death, even though a new Death emerged on just about every record, only 'Scream Bloody Gore' and 'Leprosy' bore any resemblance, but this is wild progression and some may be perplexed by the intricate structures, double bass triggers, concentrated solo's and in-depth musicianship that I can only compare to say Atheist for innovation and precision. 'Bite The Pain' has embers of speed, but Death no longer loiter in the dark chasm inhabited by Morbid Angel and the likes, they left that cavern many years ago when Chuck, despite numerous band changes, formed the wondrous sounds of 'Symbolic' and 'Human', death metal beyond the realms of anything previous or possibly yet to come. 'Spirit Crusher' slows the tempo, the classical edge shines through, and the melody of 'Flesh And The Power...' is breathless. Death metal fans seeking super blast speed and gored emotion will be left cold by the almost alien soundscape Chuck creates, but this man is the king of death metal, and goodness knows where he would've taken the band if he'd lived longer.
Chuck may not be here in the flesh but his music is timeless. More should appreciate such melody within extremity, and such complexity within weight. Of course, much of what evolves on the record is simply a product of Chucks ego, but then again, if you've got it, flaunt it.
9.5/10
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