Gruesome- Twisted Prayers (Album Review)

Musician: Gruesome
Album Title: Twisted Prayers 
Genre/ Subgenre: Death Metal
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: June 5, 2018

Twisted Prayers is the second full length album from American death metal act Gruesome and continues the Death worship that the band so very expertly specializes in. This time around the sound clearly draws its inspiration from Death's masterful album Spiritual Healing, which saw the band expanding their sound with more melodic passages and more mature and thought provoking lyrics.

As a result, this album too sees Gruesome mature and explore a thrashier and more melodic sound, with lyrics moving away from the horror love of their earlier work. This leads to an impressive monster that will please anyone who misses the early days of the sub-genre and, of course, those who long for Death styled music. Topping off the Death love is the kick ass and sick cover by Ed Repka who has worked with Gruesome before and, of course, worked on the first couple of Death albums.

The musicianship is stellar as should be any band that dares to walk Death worshiping territory. The hate filled "A Waste of Life" opens with a Chuck Schuldiner-esque riff and goes into a song that is alternately chugging and driving and remains constantly pummeling. "Fate" has another incredible intro that leads into a sound that mixes a thrash and death metal style that is absolutely glorious in its delivery! The battering "Fatal Illusions" attacks the listener from the very first lick and charges right through you, like the chainsaw that it's guitar sound sometimes recalls. The title track is a ferocious beast that shreds and rips through the sound barrier and might just be the best song on this incredible release. 

It should also be noted that Gruesome released two cover songs. One is of a Mantas song (the original name for Death) "Legion of Doom" which is released as part of Decibal magazine's Flexi Series in their June 2018 issue. You can listen to that track exclusively HERE. A cover of Possessed's classic "The Exorcist" will be released on the deluxe LP of this album which is available at Relapse.com. Both, covers are fucking killer!

And, killer is THE perfect way to describe Twisted Prayers. Technically amazing and crushing music from beginning to end, this is truly an album for fans who long for this form of Death style music. Gruesome are the fucking masters at bringing it to life in this current era and as such this kick ass album is their gift to us. 

4.5 out of 5

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Death and Obituary- Live at Best Buy Theatre 11/30/14

 

Over on MetalSucks.com, I had entered a contest to see a death metal concert at the Best Buy Theater in NYC, featuring Death (AKA Death (DTA)) and Obituary. I really didn't think I would win. In fact, after a while, I had written it off completely. Then I got some great news last week, just when I could use some awesome news. I had fuckin won!! Woohoo!!! And, so on Nov. 30, 2014, a Sun night, I was off to the show.

First off was Obituary, the Tampa, FLA death metal legends, who have recently released their newest album, Inked in Blood, their best since Back from the Dead, I think. They played a couple off of that killer album as well as a couple of classicks from their back catalog, like "Chopped in Half" and "Slowly We Rot". I've been a huge fan of the band since college, when World Demise came out. They were the first death metal band that I ever got the complete discography of. As such, it was great to finally see them live!

And, man did they ever deliver!! They sound just as good live as they do on their albums!! The band was tight and brutal. They fucking tore up the stage. Meanwhile, signer John Trady, always one of my favorite death metal vocalists, had that fucking classic raspy growl of his at full throttle. He sounded awesome as hell. And, looked fucking cool with long as fuck hair. Obituary are must see live band, for fans of death metal, for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, then it was time for Death to come on. Now, as you probably know, Death are legends in the metal world. They are the world's first true death metal band. Founded by the late/ great Chuck Schuldiner, legendary guitarist and vocalist of the band, he would go on to become one of the most beloved and respected men in the history of extreme metal, if not metal in general. It was a truly sad moment in metal music, when he passed away, due to complications from his battle with brain cancer. Death are my favorite death metal band of all time. The current incarnation known as Death (DTA which stands for Death To All) tours in honor of his memory.

I had my doubts about how Death can play sans Chuck, by holy fuck did they ever deliver!! Props has to be given to the amazing band, including drum god Gene Hoglan. He is a monster on the drums!! This is second time that I have seen him play. Last time I saw him live was when he preformed with Testament. But, of course, you need a great frontman that has the balls and the talent to play and sign Chuck's stuff. That man was Max Phelps of Cynic, who most definitely delivered on all that was needed. He totally shredded on guitar and had the clear, growl style that made Chuck one of my all time favorite vocalists in extreme metal. This dude deserves all the props in the world!

They played music from all their albums, ripping through classics like "Open Casket", "Symbolic", "The Philosopher", "Zombie Ritual", and many more. The night ended with two final classicks in the form of "Crystal Mountain" and a KILLER performance of the masterful "Pull the Plug". And, all of this was done with loving tribute to Chuck, as we fans chanted his name all night. In the end, all this amounted to what was one of the most energetic, fun, and kick ass shows that I have been to all year long, and beyond. All hail Death! All hail Chuck!

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