Disfigured Dead - Visions of Death

February 19, 2010

Reviewer: Jesse

Newcomers Disfigured Dead are off to a quick start in their young existence with a full length album and a signing to Hell’s Headbangers.  Not bad for band hardly two years old, but it might be a little too soon.  Disfigured Dead are falling right in line with the resurgence of the old-school death metal sound and do it fairly well on their debut Visions of Death.  This genre is once again reaching another peak in popularity much like what we saw in the mid-90s, which puts added pressure on new bands to try to stand out, at least somewhat, and not just be another Autopsy tribute band.  Disfigured Dead is right on that cusp and could easily fall into obscurity if some tweaks aren’t made.

Visions of Death has all the ingredients needed for the old US death metal style; it’s simple, under-produced and has a tongue-in-cheek fixation on deviant and violent acts.  The riffing in several of the songs echoes Barnes-era Cannibal Corpse almost to the point of aping them, but for the most part, it’s your common thrashy riff sequences.  The drumming is very competent, but sounds extremely sloppy and flat.  Lyrically we’ve got songs about murdering whores and other such typical themes of depravity.  Simpleness, poor production and standard subject matter are the foundations of a forgettable death metal album in 2010.  It’s unimpressive vocally as well with Festerface Thompson doing an impersonation of Chris Reifert in Severed Survival with the occasional deeper growl mixed in.

Now, with all that said, Visions of Death does have some foundational moments, and it’s on these aspects that I think they should focus on.  First of all, be memorable.  Songs like “Screamatorium” and “They Hear Your Heart Beating” are excellent slabs of old-school death metal and that script should be adhered to as often as possible.  Secondly, lengthy songs are not always a good thing in this genre.  “Mentally Mutilated” and “Welcome to the Morgue” are about two minutes longer than is necessary.  “Screamatorium” and “They Hear Your Heart Beating” are the perfect length and make their point aptly at around four minutes.  Lastly, a thin line-up of instruments is going to magnify the simple nature of the songs in the studio.  Either get better production value or add another guitarist for a more full sound.  There’s certainly a lot of promise with Disfigured Dead and I hope that they can expand themselves in the future.

Release Date: March 1, 2010
Label: Hells  Headbangers

TRACK LISTING

1.  Beyond the Darkness
2.  The Gates of Hell
3.  Screamatorium
4.  Mentally Mutilated
5.  The Act of an Unsound Mind
6.  Dead but Walking
7.  Trapped Between Worlds
8.  Visions of Death
9.  They Hear Your Heart Beating
10.  Possessed Dead
11.  Eternally Entombed

Total playing time:  50:56

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: