Review by Josh Felty
Rating: *
I've been meaning to do this for the past few reviews so as not seem too positively critical of some of these albums. Then again, I don't wanna wrongly gain assumptions that a "Give it a Spin!" rating is somehow dogging the work in relation to previous reviews. So without further adieu, I'll change everything over to the classic star rating system; 5 stars being the very best. Rolling Stone uses it, so why break with tradition? That being said (and this is in no way prompted by the following review), shall we proceed? It doesn't take a genius to tell that Ceremony of Opposites is thrashy death metal. There's barking and phlegm spitting all throughout. A virtual smorgasbord for any death metal fan. Personally, I appreciate some death metal (if we still classify Slipknot as such), and while it has its inherent flaws, I will say this: the technical side of the instrumentation is quite dizzying. I play music: guitar, piano, and drums. It not only takes talent and skill, but a whole lot of balls and bravery. Death metal is no exception. The technical skill alone is harrowing. And you know the saying, "Different strokes for different folks." Well, I'm not a particular fan of the constant barking vocalisation. Some may consider that to be the best thing about it, but as a singer, I personally don't find it that appealing. Sure, there's as much technical prowess in being able to somehow belch out inaudible lyrics. So I like a bit of singing... Every song on Death's Dominion, not surprisingly, is smothered in the noise. And that's just what it is. Noise. With titles such as "Bathe in Gore" and "Post-Traumatic Disorder", you know you're not sitting down for toe-tapping. I actually felt the oncoming post-traumatic disorder some few minutes after said track. Let me end by saying that by "Deafening Silence", I was wishing for just that (even though said song is a stunning instrumental, to its credit). Don't get me wrong: death metal has its audience. Probably some of you who are reading my bitter little diatribe. I just like harmony in my music. Metallica may have not had the soaring harmonies of Styx or REO Speedwagon; but Hetfield's incredible voice, while still being powerful and angsty, was just that. A singing voice. I did include a complimentary 2 stars for the outstanding instrumentation, that in all honesty, was mesmerizing and poetic in every way. Again, different strokes for different folks. Clearly, I didn't appreciate this one. So I'll bid Ceremony of Opposites a scathing farewell...