Customer Reviews

Leave Scars (Dlx)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For all the (well deserved) praise of "Darkness Descends" it seems to be criminally overlooked just how brilliant the follow up, "Leave Scars", actually was. Perhaps it was the change of vocalists, I'm not sure. Nonetheless, "Leave Scars" is one of the all time unrecognized classics. The album kicks off with "The Death of Innocence", a disturbing peek inside the mind of a child molester that speeds along at a breakneck pace that brings out the best in Ron Rinehart's tongue twisting capabilities. And talk about serious thrash, the side-one ending cover of "The Immigrant Song" must be heard to be believed.

Despite the strong consistency of side one, the latter half of the album is what puts this one over the top. Aside from the crushing atmospheric instro "Worms" the remaining three tracks are all ingenious clinics in the use of the almighty Riff. This is THE album I kept reflecting back on when I heard what Metallica were trying to do with "St. Anger". If you liked the way that album was headed but felt it floundered a bit in the execution, do yourself a favor and track down "Leave Scars". And yet, to focus too much on the riffology is to the detrement of the lyrics, which to this day I still consider some of the most thoughtful literate in the genre. "Older Than Time Itself" is a razor sharp dissection of the historical nature of selfishness, while "The Promise of Agony" puts a more sobering, less crybaby spin on the "my life is meaningless" angle that the emo kiddies are perpetrating these days. But it's the title track that ends the record with a bang (not to mention three back-to-back false endings!). Reversing the mopey "woe is me" of "Promise...", "Leave Scars" is an uplifting anthem to self empowerment that is easily as anthemic (not to mention more sharply written) than anything in the beloved Pantera catalog. Whoever owns the rights to Combat's old catalog should reissue this monster along with it's sequel, "Time Does Not Heal", pronto.

A few moments after putting this one in my Hi-Fi CD player I was afraid I would destroy my system, even at moderate volume. This album is unbelievable. If you like loud, extremely fast, distorted HEAVY chainsaw guitars, this is the album for you. The ultimate extreme thrash band based on this recording alone. It reminds me somewhat of Venom's first album 'Welcome to Hell', which blew me away the first time I heard it back in the day. The rough recording quality, sheer heaviness and pure distortion noticeably overshadows the melody to be sure. But this is an over all very cathartic album. Of course I would say that 'Leave Scars' along with 'Darkness Descends' and 'Time Does Not Heal' (a much more clear and melodic album, although no less heavy) are the ones to get for anybody who needs a fix of pure bone-crushing, bludgeoning, mind-blowing musical assault. Oh did I say that a look at the lyrics reveals the most intelligent, literate and sophistical vocabulary every used in such brutal thrash metal music. From one of greatest extreme metal bands to grace the world of metal, this one's a sure-fire winner!

For all the (well deserved) praise of "Darkness Descends" it seems to be criminally overlooked just how brilliant the follow up, "Leave Scars", actually was. Perhaps it was the change of vocalists, I'm not sure. Nonetheless, "Leave Scars" is one of the all time unrecognized classics. The album kicks off with "The Death of Innocence", a disturbing peek inside the mind of a child molester that speeds along at a breakneck pace that brings out the best in Ron Rinehart's tongue twisting capabilities. And talk about serious thrash, the side-one ending cover of "The Immigrant Song" must be heard to be believed.

Despite the strong consistency of side one, the latter half of the album is what puts this one over the top. Aside from the crushing atmospheric instro "Worms" the remaining three tracks are all ingenious clinics in the use of the almighty Riff. This is THE album I kept reflecting back on when I heard what Metallica were trying to do with "St. Anger". If you liked the way that album was headed but felt it floundered a bit in the execution, do yourself a favor and track down "Leave Scars". And yet, to focus too much on the riffology is to the detrement of the lyrics, which to this day I still consider some of the most thoughtful literate in the genre. "Older Than Time Itself" is a razor sharp dissection of the historical nature of selfishness, while "The Promise of Agony" puts a more sobering, less crybaby spin on the "my life is meaningless" angle that the emo kiddies are perpetrating these days. But it's the title track that ends the record with a bang (not to mention three back-to-back false endings!). Reversing the mopey "woe is me" of "Promise...", "Leave Scars" is an uplifting anthem to self empowerment that is easily as anthemic (not to mention more sharply written) than anything in the beloved Pantera catalog. Whoever owns the rights to Combat's old catalog should reissue this monster along with it's sequel, "Time Does Not Heal", pronto.

This is the stuff that classic albums are made of! Ok it's not the White album or Back in Black -but it is in the trash world!! If you want to be tipped over the edge on whether or not to buy this: get it you won't regret it!

THIS ALBUM STILL RULES EVEN WITH OUT DON DOTY!

ANOTHER GREAT FAST THRASH ALBUM!

Brutally Heavy and fast from late 80's/early 90's metal masters. Definitely reccomended for those into heavier-type thrash metal from that period. Awesome album.

It is not Darkness Descends.... not in song quality or production, Immigrant song cover is unnecessary, but overall it is a very good album that leads the path for an even better follow up

Chances are if you're reading this you've already heard Darkness Descends and maybe Time Does Not Heal. I already loved those albums when I got this one and wasn't exactly expecting something of those albums level. From track one I was instantly hooked, this album is a perfect blend of the two previously mentioned albums. Insanely fast and heavy thrash in the realms of Darkness Descends, yet at the same time, the songs are longer and contain more complex riffs like Time Does Not Heal. Every song is amazing, although my personal favorites are The Death of Innocence, Never To Rise Again, and Promise of Agony.

Get this one immediately if you love Dark Angel or any very fast heavy thrash. You won't be disapointed. Also I have to say the packaging is fantastic!

this cd is great speedd metal but it lacks the power punch to break the speed up and make this cd a true classic.they have alway had the skills but they had to add some slower more powerful riff and timechanges to push their music to the forfront.

I loved Dark angel, and the previous reviewer is indeed correct. 'Time Does Not heal' is much better than this.. I love this cd, but the sound quality isnt up to par with'Heal'.. and some of the songs drag a bit, which wasnt the case with 'Heal'. But its a great piece of work in itself and shows some of the incredible lyrics that reinhart could write. And the 1 minute + cover of 'Immigrant song' is killer.
Essential metal.