Review Summary: Slammed. Damned.
Music often projects many of the same characteristics that are found in the places where it originates. As such, the slam death metal scene of New York is unapologetically rough-edged, fast paced and straight to the point. No finer introduction to the genre can be found than Long Island’s Dehumanized. Their debut encompasses all of the core qualities of a slam record from 1998 in a satisfyingly straight forward and aggressive manner.
Prophecies Foretold takes Suffocation’s
Pierced from Within and reduces it down to its most basic instincts: filthy guitar chugging, vile and guttural vocals and a snare sounding off like a savagely abused coffee can from hell. Yes, this is brutal death metal at a molecular level - simple but effective.
Songs like the title track and “Fade Into Obscurity” present the band’s distinct style of low pitched growling over oppressively heavy breakdowns with guitar tones as thick as black tar. The drums show to be the driving force behind this album, superbly alternating double kicks, cymbal crashes and blast beats punctuated by the aforementioned plinking snare. All classic hallmarks of the genre are utilized effectively without any one reaching the point of overexposure.
By track six the production noticeably changes as the album’s second half was recorded for a demo released two years earlier. Unfortunately, neither recording session managed to remedy the uneven mixing where the thickness of the guitar tone smothers the bass, leading to a somewhat dampened sound. This somehow does little to hamper the album however, as the raw tones only seem to add to the charm for established fans. Though not much in terms of variation, the songwriting formula works well enough to keep the listener engaged throughout the modest 36 minute runtime.
As stripped down as
Prophecies Foretold is, its influence can be heard all over, from the neighboring metalcore scene of the time to mainstream metal acts throughout the following decade and beyond. Its production issues are many and its structure is unvaried, but true fans will be seldom bothered if at all by either. Limitation inspires character and
Prophecies Foretold has plenty of both. Its a simple formula that works and remains accessible, like a plate of hot brownies…we all love brownies.
