Customer Reviews

Death & Insanity

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Death and Insanity is different from a lot of its genres' music that came out in the 80's. For the style (which could be considered thrash, heavy metal, speed metal...) it's full of mature arrangements and good musicianship. It has a raw-play from the heart-no holds barred feel. The whole album has a continuity from beginning to end. The opening, memorable riff is brought back in a fade in-fade out at the end. Every song holds up and stands on it's own.

Stacy's voice is memorable for it's distinct tone. He also can add a great growl in places that fits the music perfectly.

There are no production differences in any song which adds to the homogenity of the album. The production is not the best, but it's perfect for this album. It has it's own sound and shouldn't be tampered with.

When you can talk about death and insanity in a mature way with melody, crunchy riffs, and without a "kill you mother" attitude, you got a winner.

One of the most underrated bands of the 80's metal scene and a truely classic album.

Right off the bat the production values strike you as better than Venom but worse than Show No Mercy by Slayer. Producer Brian Slagel and guitarist David Stuart find one of the strangest sounds for metal guitar to that point, but the riffs abound for those who delve into this southern metal cauldron and a couple of anthems to boot arise for your trouble.

"Goblet of Gore" is about as classic as 80's speed metal gets, with one of the most underrated bridge chants in metal history. Vocalist Stacy Anderson is actually discernible without the lyric sheet and the band shows surprising taste with the all- to- brief acoustic piece "Obitiuary". For the most part, the Hallowed ones stick with a mid-paced tempo, really only hitting overdrive on the insane "Suicide".

Hallows Eve were always a band born from the underground, so expect no mainstream leanings here. There are some weaker efforts, and the album definitely sounds dated, but the band avoided the sterotypical falsettos and shrieks and managed a few bowel grinding growls and melodicism, something often devoid from generic thrash bands.

Arguably, the bands third track is their best known and thickest. "Lethal Tendencies" was featured on the critically acclaimed "River's Edge" movie soundtrack and encapsulates the feel of this album perfectly. Hallows Eve will never be known as ground breaking, but this album reminds me a lot of the Evil Dead movies, a cult classic but missed by the majority of metal heads. The lyrics are typical death and horror but the vibe is... I don't know... different than most bands during the period. There is a genuine feel of glee, fun, and innocence with these Georgia thrashers. The fact that these guys have reunited to enthusiastic support in 2005 should give some indication as to their continued underground popularity. Highly recommended.

Goblet of Gore is one of the greatest metal songs of all time. Yes, I did say that. It is a true masterpiece. The production on this album is kinda bad, and the guitar sound is odd, but I would pay double just to have Goblet of Gore. We the people shall destroy...

if you like metal blade bands, put this in your collection. it is a definite classic

Predominantly focused on death and its various aspects, this album is not music for the depressed. Lyrically, some of the songs are quite interesting; the title track explores the idea that life is merely a state preceeding death, "Plea of the Aged" is a cry for dignity in treating the elderly, and other songs are in a similar vein. There is some really good music as well, as in the instrumental "Attack of the Iguana", but many of the songs have the same type of sound to them which can make this a somewhat monotonous album, but it's great to put in your CD changer on shuffle. Pretty heavy s***, and not for the faint-hearted.

I remember when I first bought the cassette back in the 80's. Death and Insanity has always been one of my favorites. I'm so happy to have it on CD now! I don't think that there's a band out today that can rival this one. Hallows Eve played a major role in influencing my guitar playing over the years. They are legendary in my book.