 | Tracklist:
1. The Tomb Within
2. My Corpse Shall Rise
3. Seven Skulls
4. Human Genocide
5. Mutant Village
Release Date: 2010 | |
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On 33 Lists
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| Summary: The Tomb Within isn't the return to form we hoped for, but it's close enough. |
The Tomb Within will probably be heralded as a stylistic return to form, and can probably be called their best since Mental Funeral without a single listen, if only because what followed the '91 classic was a slow crawl transition into becoming Abscess and, as a result, a band no longer worth listening to. Approaching The Tomb Within I had but one expectation--not that it would be up to par with two death metal classics, but that it would be better than another supposed return to form: Obituary's Darkest Day. Man, that album was a piece of shit.
To be blunt, The Tomb Within is a solid EP but far from anyone to call it a return to form. Autopsy are once again recording songs longer than two minutes and yes, they're back to writing straight to the point death metal, but through the album's admittedly brief 20 minutes it's easy to feel like something's missing. What The Tomb Within lacks is the extra layer of pungent, sewer-y filth that defined their best works. Undoubtedly these five songs are a step in the right direction, and opening track's energy and virility shows they've still got the chops to excel within the genre they helped pioneer, but with the exception of “Mutant Village” The Tomb Within feels rushed. “Seven Skulls” seems to end just as it finds its footing and “My Corpse Shall Rise” is little more than a few solid segments bridge by awkward, undeveloped transitions. Even “Human Genocide”, a track the band has had nearly 23 years to perfect, feels unfinished.
Of course none of these songs are bad; it's the opposite, actually, but one can't help but get the sense that there should be more to them. Ultimately, The Tomb Within's is generally faultless, though one can make the argument that Reifert's vocals aren't what they used to be: his lower and higher ranges are as close to the slimy drawls of his earlier years as one could realistically expect, but the mid-range, half-spoken groan that sticks its neck out at times is as puzzling and bizarre as it is nonthreatening. At best, The Tomb Within is a reassurance in the wake of the upcoming Macabre Eternal. At worst, it's still better than Darkest Day. Seriously, Obituary should be ashamed of themselves for that one.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 3.5
I debated between a 3 and a 3.5, and if you clicked early enough you'd have seen it as the former, but I realized I can't really fault it for being short since it's an EP so I've given it the extra pat on the ass. I'm unquestionably generous these days.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Glad you went with a 3.5, though. Nice review Cocaine.
Digging: Mount Eerie - Clear Moon | | |
I'm waiting to buy this one before I hear it, but the bank account is empty so it might be awhile.
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Definitely a fair sounding review, good stuff man.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Good review, album is floating between a 3.5 and 4 for me. Definitely agree that the vocals are a bit underwhelming.
Digging: Addaura - Burning for the Ancient Digging: Addaura - Burning for the Ancient | | |
The Tomb Within isn't the return to form we've hoped for, but it's close enough.
does not seem right to me.
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close enough
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
why
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not very close
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
this kinda rules...
only a little bit
Digging: Bjork - Vespertine | | |
people you need to get your head out of the gutter
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
You're right about the summary. It would read better as "The Tomb Within isn't the return to form we hoped for, but it's close enough."
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makes sense
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Um, no it doesn't. Clearly the vocals are at an all time high on this compaired to every other release they have had.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i like this album, good review too
Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels Digging: Dead Congregation - Graves of the Archangels | | |
Sick shit
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
They don't feel like finished songs. They feel rushed. Said it in the paragraph above what you quoted.
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the production on this bugs me. it's too clean and i think that takes away from some of that grimy charm that made their best albums stand out.
Digging: Love American - Disquiet
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I agree entirely. It's still dirty but it doesn't feel the same. I'm not sure if I made it clear enough with the review, though. The vocals might just need to be less clear.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
3.5 is a fair ass rating for this. Great review too mayne.
Digging: Burial Hex - Thin Hand Of Orula | | | |
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