Review Summary: A criminally overlooked album, Acts Of the Unspeakable remains as the neglected gem in the Autopsy catalog.
Acts Of The Unspeakable is the third and largely ignored album by California death metal band Autopsy.
The first two Autopsy releases are death metal classics, whereas the latter, Mental Funeral, takes on a more doom vibe. Acts Of The Unspeakable takes that doom vibe even further, incorporating sludgy riffs, spastic bursts of drumming, and some filthy lyrics. Some of the song titles should hint that the perverse lyrics of Chris Reifert are more ugly and gruesome than before.
One thing you will notice right off the bat is the difference in sound. Compared to Mental Funeral which has a very full production, this release is more raw and stripped down. This isn't a bad thing because it adds to the brooding atmosphere. Vocals are forefront, drums sound crisp, and although the guitars are muddy and muffled at times they still sound good.
With 18 songs in just under 36 minutes, the album feels like it flies by. The majority of the songs are around the 2 minute mark, but that doesn't make them any less memorable.
It all begins with
Meat, which sets the mood for the entire album with it's creepy doom and gloom riff. 40 seconds into the song Chris Reifert's tortured moans are heard and then you are hit with frantic drums and pummeling guitars.
The next two tracks follow in the same vein. Necrocannibalistic Vomitorium is a savage song and gets the award for one of the best song titles in death metal. The track has some great drum work and vocals, plus an excellent doomy solo towards the end.
From this point on the songs off the album shift between short bursts of drums, hectic solos, and grunted vocals (Ugliness And Secretions & Battery Acid Enema), to cryptic catacomb-dwelling tracks that truly showcase the atmosphere and influence of doom (Funereality).
A criminally overlooked album, Acts Of the Unspeakable remains as the neglected gem in the Autopsy catalog.
Top 3 Tracks:
Funereality
Skullptures
Pus - Rot (great riff)
