Review Summary: Inside the Unreal is the only full length release from Italian death metal band Electrocution, which is a shame because it is a truly overlooked diamond in the rough of the genre.
Electrocution was a death metal band centered in Bologne, Italy, which first came into being in 1990. After a couple of lineup changes, the core members, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mick Montaguti, lead guitarist Alex Guadagnoli, Max Canali on bass, and his brother Luca on drums released
Inside the Unreal in 1993, the band's first and unfortunately only LP and a dazzling display of technical grit, buzz-saw riffing and hellish, bloodthirsty grunts. No mercy shall be taken, neither shall any savagery be spared on your journey
Inside the Unreal.
For twenty-five seconds, forewarning ambience floats through the air, until it is interrupted by a riling guitar riff off of the psychotic and hyperactive fingers of Mick and Alex. The opening track, "Premature Burial", is only a hint of the things that will be unleashed on your aural senses on this twisted adventure. Between Mick and Alex, riffs are blasted out at alarmingly rapid speeds, creating chaos and destruction in their wake. Solos wail along at ridiculous paces, matched by few as the dexterity of the guitarist's fingers is displayed in its true form. Also appearing, are small sections of clean, foreboding, guitar passages to help intersperse with the rest of the guitar assaulting. It is blatantly obvious that these two know their ways around shredding and can still produce catchy riffs in the process. They can literally lap many other death metal axe-men and leave them in their dust. On bass, Max delivers by churning out a solid low-end bumbling to compliment the guitar molesting. He can be heard several times (check "Behind the Truth" at about two minutes and thirty seconds in) and adds to the grinding aggression that will saturate ears throughout the unrelenting thirty-seven and half minutes that the album covers.
As for the drums, Luca contributes with a flurry of relentless double bass and lightning-paced, frenzied fills. His swift work on the kit propels this album forward like a jet with its afterburners on, forcing its way through the sound barrier. Vocally, Mick shines with an absolutely nefarious bark that will shiver the listener the the core, generating images of pure terror and unhallowed scenes, as do the lyrics, which in your typical death metal style, will take you on a trip toward the inevitability of death, albeit in rather nasty fashion. The entire album is an effective display of brutality and intensity that will take the listener in by the throat and not let go.
As far as standout tracks are concerned, the entire album delivers in its goal to dispense a bone-thrashing. The sixth track, "Ghost of the Past", coming in at five minutes and forty seconds is certainly one of the best examples of the band's technical prowess. Abrasive riffing, Mick's bowel-spilling growl and the competent rhythm section all are at full force here. Other strong points within the album include the duo of "Premature Burial" and "Rising Infection", which open the album at a torrid pace, the seventh track, "Under the Wings Only Remains", and the closing, vile pair of "Behind the Truth" and "Bells of the End", which the close the album with just as much fury and tenacity that it began with.
Inside the Unreal is a horribly overlooked death metal gem, one that should be checked out by all enthusiasts of extreme metal, it is a real pity that this band didn't go further than they did, as the talent that is showcased here was matched by few at the time. So, to all death metal fans that do not include this album within their collection, I ask you, "Why not?".
Inside the Unreal gets a 4.5 out of 5.
