![]() In general, I would have also given the same rating for a few of their previous releases, but with this release it makes more sense seeing how it actually does improve upon what I considered perfection by widening the breadth of their established sound and making improvements on the mix. Reviewing Beneath the Massacre, and in particular Fearmonger, without talking about the broader context of their artistic achievement, would undersell why this album gets a solid 100%. Technical skill: 89% Originality: 63% Production: 59% Song writing: 56% I feel they'll gain more listeners from this release (and the Google Play top tracks agrees) There's still enough hard core written segments to appease the older fans, but much like their contemporaries Job for a Cowboy and Annotations of an Autopsy, they've grown up some. I hope they keep on this path and next time possibly have more interesting songs on offer. The individuality is lost a little from their earlier albums, but what they've lost in that they've gained in technicality and respectability. The individual components and certain sections were great, but there was an overwhelming sameness to the writing. It never became a great album overall for me because the songs as pieces of music weren't written well enough, I feel. My first listen wasn't that enjoyable, but it got better as time went on. There are plenty of great moments on this album that make the trip worth it, and subsequent listens better. You can feel bass but the fretwork is somewhat lost so I had a hard time analyzing it. ![]() Unfortunately the mix on this album somewhat pushes back the bass to the point where I can't totally distinguish what's being played. Some of the middle toms might be a little too tight, but i like the sound of the floor toms. The cymbals sound extra crisp, everything is really tight and clean, which is what you want in tech death. Overall I absolutely love the sound of the drums. There's a breakdown in it but the drums keep it interesting with some nice crash play. 1:47-2:43 on "Of Gods and Machines" has great variation. The drums are extremely precise and in constant flux. Though it does have it's moments 2:21 is a great rhythm riff and when the rest of the music evolves a few seconds later, it becomes one of my favorite compositions of the album. I know that's par for the course, but the low end is substantially less interesting. The rhythm guitar is impressive, but not as interesting as the leads. Not every song has a definitive solo, but do you really need one with such regular high end play? 1:30 on "Treacherous" has a full solo, but it loses the punch of a solo being surrounded by leads that resemble solos anyway. The start of "Treacherous" has one of the most noodley finger tapping parts, but that can wear it's welcome quickly so it changes it up shortly after. There are plenty of their unique noodles here so if you were a fan before, then you should be pleased. Often these higher notes sound like bell harmonics, which they very well could be. The frantic start-stop notes on the high end offer an interesting touch. The leads on this album are amazing as always on a BtM release. Side note: You should go look at the review for the Evidence of Inequity album where the guy gives statistics per song and album about how many breakdowns and how long they are. Expect a flurry of notes and scales with precision. When they are there, don't expect cookie cutter 0s and 1s. There are amazing instrumentalists here and the breakdowns are minimal and respectable, as much as they can be. ![]() Now, it's 2020, so I feel some of the hate for death core is cooling. Unfortunately, it's one of the more death core moments. Then look at 2:00 on that song for elements not done before by them. The beginning of "Autonomous Mind" is probably the closest to old Beneath the Massacre. Beneath the Massacres original sound and guitar playing is palpable and immediately recognizable here with such flair. I started listening to their early tech death core starting out and I had that album (and a few others that are not relevant right now) to thank for being the stepping stone to get me where I am now. Evidence of Inequity changed my life when it came out and opened my young and uneducated ears to many more bands of the caliber. I encapsulates the energy and unique sound of the past, but bringing it to modern audiences. This album is the perfect evolution for the band. ![]()
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