(09 Jan 2011)
With the exception of Nile, Gorguts and the jazzy acts named after personality traits from the early 90s, I tend to dislike the highly publicized Death Metal bands and will generally avoid them. I see some people drool over the venerable Necrophagist or the speed freaks on coke in a wormhole on fast-forward Origin and the infinite number of bands who are all trying to out-br00tal each other by playing this arpeggio exercise faster than anyone ever did before, or by holding the effect-laden, surround sound, overdubbed growl for a millisecond longer than anyone else, while others go crazy over Death Metal that is really just Thrash Metal without the redeeming qualities from the 1980s, all the while saying that that is the only good Death Metal out there. But I fail to understand what there is that makes these bands any good.
They're just trying to make heavy music by the book. No class. no subtlety. I will admit that bands like Abysmal Torment have as much subtlety as a brick breaking your bedroom window, hitting you in the face and making you bleed all over the note saying "I'm going to kill you. Signed: <insert name of huge scary dude with a lower IQ than number of remaining teeth>", but bands like Abysmal Torment have something that makes them stand out, and that is atmosphere. It's because of atmosphere that I like Nile, Decapitated, Gorguts, and Death Metal itself. DM evokes an incredible, unimitable atmosphere, and Close To A World Below has that stuff.
Higher Coward has been regularly criticized for being a weak track to a great album, and I don't understand why. It starts out quite ominous, with a really weird tremolo, a slight buzzing in the background. After that, the listener is presented with one of the most immense riffs that will crush everything in its path, and then the album continues. Never losing quality after the majestic opener. The whole album keeps the same atmosphere, which is emphasized by the way everything in the songs is exactly where it is supposed to be. Continuing the concept presented on the cover, it's like Hell went to Earth for 40 minutes to show just how puny everyone is. And the way that is done is by presenting riff after riff of the most inspired and memorable combination of sounds to ever come out of your speakers.
No album is perfect. Even my all-time favourite album, Worlds Beyond The Veil, has its shortcomings, and so is the case with Close To A World Below. Once you open the jewel case and see the booklet, everything goes to shit. You then realize that this album wasn't actually written by Hell, and that Immolation is just a Death Metal band. Talented beyond limits, but just a band. Nevertheless, this is a glowing example for all the bands trying too hard in the wrong direction about it's supposed to be done.
Standout tracks:
Higher Coward
Father, You're Not A Father
Fall From A High Place
Unpardonable Sin
Put My Hand In The Fire
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