Necrophagist Epitaph
  full reviewuser ratings (394) 
Tracklist:
1. Stabwound
2. The Stillborn One
3. Ignominious and Pale
4. Diminished to Be
5. Epitath
6. Only Ash Remains
7. Seven
8. Symbiotic In Theory

Ranking: #84 for 2004

user rating
4
excellent
Chart.
other reviews
Drunken Viking (4.5)
...
Kit Brown CONTRIBUTOR (4)
If you like technical death metal, this is an essential. If you like shredding, this is an essential...
Necrophagist43 (4)
This is the perfect band for people who want both Cryptopsy and Yngwie Malmsteen in their music....
Lambda (3.5)
...

related

 Onset of Putrefaction
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  On 60 Lists

4.0
excellent
Per Ardua Ad Astra USER (30 Reviews)

2005-01-18 | 185 comments | 13,508 views

6 of 6 thought this review was well written

Necrophagist's First album "Onset of Putrefaction" is a classic, one of the best Technical Death Metal albums ever produced. Not to mention, it was created by one man, Muhamed Suicmez. He played guitar, and did the vocals while programming in drums and bass. The album came out great and is an absolute classic, not to mention has been re-released (In stores in September 2004 I believe)

'Epitaph' is Necrophagist second work of art, this time Muhamed recruited a full band and if i do say so myself it came out great.
The lineup is

Christian Meunzner - Guitar
Hannes Grossmann - Drums
Stefan Fimmers - Bass
Muhammed Suicmez- Guitar/Vocals

Track one - Stabwound: This song starts off extremely fast and technical, reminiscent of 'Onset of Putrefaction' soon comes in a crushing sweep/tap lead fill which leads right into Muhammeds growls. Bringing the brutal technicality back to this song. Throughout the song that same lead fill shows it's head again, the second time leading into a solo full of Harmonic Minor Arpeggios and harmonized parts. The song gets more technical the farther you get into it. I killer opener.
5/5

Track two - The StillBorn one : This song is a change of pace, it's very slow, throughout the verse and chorus. This song has a very interesting 'solo' it's two notes with what i think is a tremelo bar in between them. Then the song suddenly picks up with some technical riffs, and even a riff straight from Beethoven's 'Fur Elise' is thrown into the mix. The second solo is full of speed picking and crushing arpeggios that match the speed of the song, though i think this solo is a bit overdone. The song ends with the slow part from the beginning of the song.
3/5

Track three - Ignominious and Pale: This song begins with a very technical riff, for which Necrophagist is known for but the song doesn't uphold this speed, it soon slows down before picking up speed again in the second verrse, this speed leads perfectly into the solo, this solo like most of the others is full of harmonies and speedy arpeggios. Through the rest of the song, there is an alternating pattern between speed and slower riffs.
4/5

Track four - Diminished to b: This song also starts of fast, and blows your mind with it's technicality throughout, this is the song that sounds most like 'Onset of Putrefaction' in my opinion. Throughout this song there is mind blowing technicality and crushing growls matched by squeling harmonics. The solo is not something to be overlooked either, it matches Necrophagist's reputation of harmonic minor solos and technicality, though sweeps are conspicuosly absent in this solo, it's quite good nonetheless. Towards the end of the song, seemingly out of nowhere a slower riff rears it's head to sort of end the song.
5/5

Track five - Epitaph: The title track, starts off extremely fast and extremely technical with some sweeps in the beginning of the song to set the pace. This song remains extremely technical through the verse, up until the interlude with a few chords and pinch harmonics. Then back into the roaring technicality, followed by the interlude again. The solo is what you would expect from Necrophagist, it starts off slow then picks up the pace with some nice licks. This whole song is extremely technical.
5/5

Track six - Only Ash Remains: This song starts off with a sick bass solo, followed by a guitar solo playing relatively the same thing but a few octaves higher. This song is high energy throughout, parts of this song the guitar parts aren't that fast, but it still stays high energy. Alot of the riffs in this song take on more of a progressive edge, sort of like the progressive works of the famed, Death. The solo to this song utilizes the Spanish Phrygian mode, including sweeping and speed picking. The song throws you a HUGE twist at the end, ending with Necrophagist's version of "The Capulets and the Montagues" from Romeo and Juliet (atleast that's what i believe it is.)
5/5

Track seven - Seven: This song also reminds me of the progressive works of Death, atleast at the beginning. Then, comes one of the fastest riffs on the album. Then in comes the progressive side of Necrophagist again, this is a side which we did not see on 'Onset of Putrefaction' very much. The solo is nothing short of amazing on this track. The rest of the track alternates between the 'Death' style of progressive and Necrophagist's unique technicality.
4/5

Track eight - Symbiotic in Theory: This song is extremely technical throughout, as is the rest of the album. There is a killer lead fill (not as good as Stabwounds lead fill, but good nonetheless) then back to the crushing technicality in the verse, along with some change of pace with some generic death metal chords followed by more technical riffs, leading into the lead fill, which in turn leads into the solo. The solo is a slower one, though it does include some fast licks, the song suddenly picks up in the middle of the solo, in turn the solo picks up speed before coming back into the lead fill, letting it echo with delay, as the verse riff comes back in and halts abruptly.
4/5

I give this album 4.5/5
If it had been any other band other than Necrophagist, it would have gotten a 10/5 but this was the follow up to 'Onset of Putrefaction' which cannot be beaten.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Dancin' Man


Comments: 719
05.27.05

Album Rating: 3

Ehhh, I find this lacking. Get's broing. It doesn't have the same dynamic Onset had because of all the wanking. Onset had a nice mix of perfect riffage and blazing solos but you could still hear emotion and the songs were great. This feels like a bad rehash of that. Great review and I'm suprised no one else has commented on this yet.

black\m/metal


Comments: 24
07.22.05


I really enjoy this album, its very technical and well performed.

Unskathed


Comments: 9
12.17.05

Album Rating: 4

This stuff is extremely talented, but the vocals could use more diversity.

I'm Charming


Comments: 332
01.29.06


This album has amazing guitar leads.

Josh D.


Comments: 6155
01.31.06

Album Rating: 3.5

i can barely listen this stuff without my mouth dropping. the drums and guitar, i dont even know what to say. i dont like the vocals, but good god, they know what the **** they are doing.

Digging: Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect

dustyboy316


Comments: 56
01.31.06


I like the music, but the vocals turn me off of this talented music.

mudfreak14


Comments: 1
02.02.06


The Stillborn One did not get the recognition it deserves. This song happens to have the best solo! It is one of thier top 3 solos. 1. Fermnted Offal Discharge. 2. Advance Corpse Tumor. 3. The Stillborn One..... This is what I think.

Thor
Contributing Reviewer


Comments: 7998
02.07.06

Album Rating: 4

The only song I have heard by these guys is "Stabwound". Musically, it's incredible. In terms of songwriting, it's only average.

Digging: Circle Takes The Square - As The Roots Undo

Shattered_Future


Comments: 1502
02.07.06


Once you get past the jawdropping solos (which still, to this day, are ungodly), this album is boring. I don't think I've ever listened to a whole song on here besides Stabwound...

Thor
Contributing Reviewer


Comments: 7998
02.07.06

Album Rating: 4

Well if you think that Stabwound is their best song then I don't think that I'll look into this album then.

but yes, their solos are not of this world.


TheBassicBassist


Comments: 12
02.25.06

Album Rating: 5

The bass intro for Only Ash Remains is ridiculous, how would you even write something like that? Muhammed is a freaking genious man

Josh D.


Comments: 6155
02.28.06

Album Rating: 3.5

yeah, i dont listen to anything all the way from them; i put on necrophagist to get my fix of musical omnipotence, and then change it.

Killtacular


Comments: 1282
02.28.06

Album Rating: 3.5

Commence jaw-drop.

Josh D.


Comments: 6155
06.06.06

Album Rating: 3.5

I had a chance to see them last month but couldn't get anyone to go. D***!

Zak_262


Comments: 24
06.14.06

Album Rating: 4

wow the solos at the start of only ash remains are so insane this is a killer album these guys can really play their instument that guy is soo extreamly talented but the vocals do kinda get annoying after a while not much variation thereThis Message Edited On 06.14.06

TheDevilsOwn


Comments: 91
06.15.06

Album Rating: 4.5

this is a great album

Jondur


Comments: 92
06.16.06

Album Rating: 3

I actually thought this album was a step up in terms of song structure from Onset. However, as people have already pointed out, past the solos there isn't that much to enjoy with Necrophagist. They lack the riffs and atmosphere of the greats.

Tarantino's Tarantulas


Comments: 818
06.16.06


"Commence jaw-drop"

Jaw Drop commenced. How many virgins did this guy have to sacrifice to get that skill? Shame Necrophagist dont put their musical technicality towards making more varied music - their stuff is good but too samey and I think Suicmez is using a similar bunch of scales in all his solos (they all seem to have the same flavour).


Josh D.


Comments: 6155
07.26.06

Album Rating: 3.5

These guys are unbelievable.
I can't believe they toured with Arsis and were in my town and I wasn't into Arsis yet or Necrophagist much. Ah man, I messed up.

Phil Anselmo


Comments: 18
08.06.06

Album Rating: 5

I'm usually considered an "emo" kid or a "core" in many people's opinions but this album blows away any other technical death metal out there. I like to call it shred metal there are so many solos. I saw them back in June and they were amazing. Good stuff, highly reccomended!



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