Dying Fetus -- Destroy the Opposition (review)

Artist: Dying Fetus
Album: Destroy the Opposition
Genre: brutal/technical death metal
Year: 2000
Label: Relapse Records

This year marks the 17th anniversary of the release of Dying Fetus's third full-length, Destroy the Opposition.  This album stands as one of my personal favorites in the death metal genre, alongside such classics as Leprosy and None So Vile.
Dying Fetus are a brutal death metal band from Baltimore Maryland.  Formed in 1991, the band has released album upon album of grade-A death metal.  Each release is jam-packed with memorable riffs, technical fury, and crushing grooves, and their 2000 outing is no exception.
The opening riff of "Praise the Lord (Opium of the Masses)" is an infectious groove that hits like a train without brakes.  The band wastes no time getting to the point as they sling riff after riff at the listener, supported by Kevin Talley's rapid-fire blast beats (I might add that the drum production on this album is among the best).  The title track follows, and closes with a cataclysmic breakdown as Gallagher and Netherton command the listener to, as they so eloquently put it, "DESTROY."  The trade-off vocals are signature of Dying Fetus's style.  Netherton bellows in a fashion reminiscent of the Florida scene while Gallagher delivers a more guttural growl akin to Frank Mullen of Suffocation.
The band's lyrics are easily some of my favorites.  Vicious and dripping with social commentary, Dying Fetus step away from the stereotypical gore lyrics of most brutal death (not that I have anything against such themes).  The lyrics to "In Times of War" detail the aftermath of nuclear Armageddon, while "Praise the Lord" criticizes those who use religion as a justification for violence.  The band leave few stones unturned as they tear modern society to pieces.
Tracks vary between blistering attacks ("Born In Sodom" & "Pissing In the Mainstream") and groove-driven chugfests ("Epidemic of Hate").  Every riff and breakdown is expertly crafted and executed with precision.  Nothing seems out of place with this record, and every track packs a deadly punch.  I encourage everyone to give this record a spin.  You can listen to it on YouTube here.


Rating: 5 / 5
Top Tracks:
In Times of War
Praise the Lord (Opium of the Masses)
Justifiable Homicide

Mayhem -- Grand Declaration of War (review)

Artist: Mayhem
Album: Grand Declaration of War
Genre: avant-garde black metal
Year: 2000
Label: Season of Mist

Mayhem (or The Trve Mayhem) are regarded as one of the most important bands in black metal due to their debut album's significance in the second wave; however, I have chosen to explore their discography starting with their controversial sophomore album.  And what a strange album it is.  Grand Declaration of War is as inventive as it is absurd.
The record functions as a single unit, with each track flowing into the next.  Many of the songs are broken into two or three separate tracks.  This abnormal structuring matches the music perfectly.  The album has a mechanical sound, with crisp, calculated drums and cold, buzzing guitars.  Songs like the opening "A Grand Declaration of War" and "View from Nihil (Part I of II)" have a strict sense of martial order, filled with the rattle of war drums.  "A Time to Die" is a technical whirlwind of black metal fury.  The band also expand on their sound with electronic elements.  "A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun (Part II of II)" sees the band wandering far from metal into trip hop territory.  Towards the end of the album, the band places a series of tracks consisting of absolute silence, flirting a bit with John Cage's famous 4'33".
Mayhem's vocalist, Maniac, also pushes the limits of black metal vocals beyond the typical shrieks and rasps.  He also employs processed vocals and cleans later in the album.  What is most jarring about Maniac's performance is the spoken word segments, which make up about half of all the vocals on Grand Declaration of War.  When coupled with the marching beats and tight production, this advances the album's militaristic feel.
Mayhem really came out of left field with Grand Declaration of War, but it seems they toned down their experimentation on future releases, sadly.  Perhaps that is why this record stands out not only in Mayhem's discography, but in the realm of black metal as a whole.  Give this album a listen on YouTube here.


Rating: 4 / 5
Top Tracks:
A Bloodsword and a Colder Sun (Part II of II)
A Grand Declaration of War
Completion In Science of Agony (Part I of II)
A Time to Die