Customer Reviews

Resurrection Through Carnage

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Now, if you've read a lot of my other reviews you'll notice one thing: giving a full 5 stars to a record isn't something I do a lot, and I only give it to those VERY VERY few and far between albums where every single song on the album is good, and you could listen to it straight through and not want to skip anything! Then afterwards, you'll want to play it again and again! Resurrection Through Carnage by BloodBath is one of these albums. (The only other albums I can think of where this is evident is Opeth's "Blackwater Park", Metallica's "Master of Puppets", NIN's "The Downward Spiral" and years ago with Offspring's "Smash.")
Michael Akerfeldt once again proves he is the GREATEST living metal musician (maybe even just musician) around today. Though I shouldn't give just him all the credit, cause he's also got the members of Katatonia (I should give them a listen) backing him up. This album is brutal, intelligent, and overall fun as hell to listen to. I can't pick a favorite song on this one because they're all good in their own ways, although track 5 "Buried by the Dead" does stand out somewhat. This is death metal, yes. When most people think of Death Metal they think of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under, unfortunately (even though I do like cannibal corpse) these bands do set a stereotype for death metal, and makes people who don't like or understand death to put it down even more as just being senseless unmelodic guitar strums, overdone blast beats and cookie monster undecipherable vocals which talk about death and mutilation in a way to just shock you, not to sound intelligent. This is not the case with BloodBath.
These guy's guitar riffs are tight, heavy and loud. But not just that, there is actually melody to the guitar leads! Yes, Non-In Flames type death metal with actual melodic guitar leads, though if you listen to this you won't catagorize this as "melodic death metal" like In Flames or Arch Enemy, this is DEATH METAL. The leads on this disc are awesome, and even though they are melodic, they are very dark and evil sounding as well. The whole album just seems to have been produced in the deepest pits of hell, it's killer! Production? You couldn't dream of better production, because every instrument and vocal is 100 percent audible, bass and drums have never sounded better on a death metal record. I should give extra kudos to the guitar distortion sound- I've never heard anything like it!! It's not typical distortion; it's dirty, crunchy and packed with powerful bass giving something that sounds like a darker death version of Alice in Chains. Amazing sound! Lyrical content? Akerfeldt doesn't need to use curse words to sound morbid or evil, because the lyrics are intelligent sounding but at the same time give you a better picture in your head of the brutality the songs talk about without having to use perverted language unlike other bands who just feel the need to mention private body parts being mutilated, like, cannibal corpse.
Overall, the biggest reason I find this record so fun is due to it's integrity. These guys just came together, wrote some AMAZING death songs and put it on a record for fun, and with the intention of fun for the fans, you can tell it doesnt take itself too seriously, yet seriously enough for good music's sake. So in conclusion, if you're a fan of metal (of any kind) and appreciate some death metal or are curious of getting into the genre, you must, must, MUST, MUUUUUSSST own this record, it's worth every penny! Phenomenal by all standards and quite possibly the greatest death record ever!! Why are you still reading this review, go buy this!!

When a freind of mine started getting me into death metal (grew up a speed/thrash fan) some bands were better and easier to get used to than others. Let's face it - there's some great stuff but there's too much thats below average or more of the same.

I bought this Bloodbath CD on the recommendation of a small metal store owner and have since stopped buying anything new for a while because there is NO WAY it will compare to this album. Blistering, in-your-face, kicked-in-the-teeth metal. Every aspect of it is perfect from the production quality to the clarity of the growling vocals (you can understand what this guy has to say on the first listen and it ain't pretty), to the buzzsaw guitars that will shake your subs.

Truly old-school approach with the new intensity and production. I think someone just getting into death metal should check Bloodbath out first but be warned: you won't find many other works as good as this one without going for the classic stuff. The experience of the guys that make up the band shows, and some of these newer acts should get the hint that they can do far better than what they have so far.

The singing let alone the death screams are amazing.
The lyrics are extreme and dark; yet with purpose.
The music is the BEST old style Death Metal I have ever heard!!
All together they flow like Blood red Wine .
If your into true top level Death Metal you must buy this album!!
If you are into so called nu-metal; then this is far beyond your understanding and you should just walk away.

Every time I listen to this album, I want to start a mosh pit. In my living room. In the car. On the subway. It's 41 minutes that makes you forget everything about sanity.

Bloodbath, Sweden's new "supergroup" with members of Opeth, Katakonia, and Dan Swano, has had a lot of hype surrounding this release. And unlike most hyped bands, in this case I truly think the hype is warranted. A mix of old school death with the groove of swedish (e.g. Entombed) metal. Dan Swano's touch is clear throughout this album's production and tremendous drumwork. Mikael Akerfeldt's vocals show just how intense this man can get, contrasted with the emotional variance in his main act, Opeth.

Around 45 seconds into the first track, "Ways to the Grave", this album greets you with a full body assault of guitars dripping with raw dirt and crunch. It's one of the best guitar sounds I've heard in ages. And it does not let up until the end of the album. This album makes me think this is what a death metal Slayer - "Reign in Blood" would sound like. It's exhausting, but worth the entire listen - the final track, "Cry My Name", is perhaps one of the biggest highlights of the album, with a tremendously powerful chorus.

In summary: It's the death metal album to beat in 2002.

Minor quibbles: good luck reading the liner notes and lyrics. Cool font, but it's very small and red-on-black.

BLOODBATH - Resurrection through Carnage
-
All the reviewers seem to either overrate this album (5 stars is a bit much) or drastically underrate it.
Truth is this just good old fashion Death Metal. Nothing mind-shattering, nothing too complex... Just good Heavy Death Metal.
The Good:
-Mikeal Akerfeldt does the Vocals... (This was in fact the reason I decided to check these guys out...) I mean Mikeal's Growls are by far the finest the genre has to offer... Truthfully I never really liked the `growl' until I started getting into Opeth.
-Another plus side.... Chainsaw Guitars, gives it such an early 90's DM feel. Brings me way back to old school DM... at first listen didn't really like it but now I actually enjoy the buzz of the guitars.
-Catchy Choruses! Which is seldom in DM but it sounds great Akerfeldt, hammers the songs into your head. Listen to songs like `So You Die', `Cry my Name', or `Buried by the Dead' - It is a definite bonus that songs which are this heavy still have recurring sense of melody.
The Not so Good:
-The Drums: I know everyone seems to be hammering this point but the drums are just really simplistic. Their not bad per say, It's just when I think DM, I think crazy drumming like Cryptopsy or even Morbid Angel. This was just decent. (However on their newest album `Nightmares Made Flesh' - Swano returns to guitars and they have Martin Axenrot from Witchery on the skins now.)
-Also in a way I was a bit disappointed with how `basic' this album is. I guess this was what they were aiming for but being familiar with Opeth and hearing about the Legacies of Katatonia and Dan Swano I expected more technical precision.

All that aside, I definitely recommend fans of Death Metal (Specially, older DM) give this a listen and take a trip back in time... This is easily better than 90% of your typical Death Metal.
[Also check out their latest `Nightmares Made Flesh' which despite their loss of Mikeal on Vocals it may be a better overall album.]
Favorite Songs: Cry My Name, Bathe in Blood, So You Die, and Trail of Insects.
-4 Stars


IF YOU LIKED, AGREED, OR APPRECIATED THIS PLEASE CLICK YES FOR:
"Was this review helpful?"

In one phrase: accessible death metal.
If you have a penchant for the harder stuff, but like to keep your tastes within the realm of well-produced and exquisitely written metal (like me), then this is your band. This isn't "noisy" or just pummeling for the sake of it. Bloodbath sounds so good it's pretty much just plain refreshing.
Even if you don't like pure death vocals, Mike Akerfeldt's delivery is balanced between rough and satanic and understandable. Think Shadows Fall with a lean toward the purer driving death style.
This album is killer. The people giving it a low rating are obviously either a) not into death metal or thrash and black metal bands with a rougher edge (Slayer, Testament, Shadows Fall, Cradle of Filth), or b) into the "pure" death and black metal that sounds just raw and under produced.
One more note: I have never heard guitars that sounded so different and so cool.
Buy.

Several years ago, I was milling around the balcony of a small venue in Pittsburgh waiting for a concert by the dream team of Paradise Lost and Opeth to begin. Several rather menacing college students approached me, including a towering gentleman with a shaved head and goatee. Fearing they had targeted me for a random act of violence, I was relieved to find they simply wanted to know which band I was there to see. When I replied that I was almost equally eager to see both bands, I quickly found myself quickly integrated into their little group for the evening, even if I didn't share their view that Paradise Lost had `sold out' when Nick Holmes abandoned his early death metal vocal style. Upon discovering my work often took me to Africa, the hulking guy at the center of the group launched into a shockingly informed soliloquy on the social and economic problems plaguing the continent. He then claimed to be the starting nose guard for Pitt's nationally ranked football team, and lamented that his teammates rarely let him blast death metal in the locker room. After quizzing me about my favorite Opeth albums and my history as a death metal fan dating back to the early 90s, he suggested that I check out Bloodbath, a side project featuring Michael Akerfeldt he was sure I'd like.

The concert that night lived up to my expectations, though I was dismayed to see the treatment Paradise Lost received from some of the younger Opeth fans who jeered them. Opeth fans are among the most notoriously snobby metal fans, but it was sad to see their lack of respect for Paradise Lost, one of the greatest metal bands of all time. I was happy that at least my new friends applauded Paradise Lost even though the band focused primarily on their newer material. After Paradise Lost finished their set, Opeth put on a great show as well, much to the delight of everyone in attendance.

A few days after the concert, I recalled the recommendation the football player had made to me regarding Bloodbath. I looked up Bloodbath on Amazon.com and ordered Resurrection Through Carnage soon thereafter. I also googled the football player and it turned out he'd been telling the truth - he was indeed starting nose guard on Pitt's team as well as a two-time Academic All-American. The latter explained the facility with which he spoke about the problems besetting Africa. Despite metal's popular perception as music for morons, there are many intelligent and erudite metal fans out there.

When Resurrection Through Carnage arrived, I discovered quickly that it more than satisfied the old-school death metal fan in me. Chunky riffs, double kick drums, and garbled cookie monster vocals made it an instant favorite. But the attention to catchy song structure is what has over time elevated the album to classic status in my mind. The album is a model of consistency in a genre where filler is sometimes a problem. Still, Resurrection Through Carnage is not without its highlights. One of these highlights is the very first track, "Ways to the Grave", which begins with a slow, tense build-up that transitions into a classic death metal groove. The sudden transition into the guitar solo around the two-minute mark is also extremely pleasing, as is the abrupt ending consisting of a brief guttural vocal spasm. Additional favorites are "Death Delirium" with its catchy chorus and "Buried By the Dead", propelled by its great surging Unleashed-inspired riff. Yet another highlight is the dizzying "Bathe in Blood" whose powerful chorus erupts out of nowhere on two and only two occasions during the song - be patient and you will be rewarded by this song.

Resurrection Through Carnage hearkens back to a day when death metal was novel and `fun'. I'd prefer you didn't take the lyrics too seriously - I certainly never have. Bloodbath consists of several modern metal legends having fun with the music of their youth and inviting you to do the same. After receiving some good advice, I'm glad I accepted their invitation.

Let me start by saying this. I'm not an Opeth fan, or a fan of any of the other groups these guys come from. I was also very hesitant in purching this as well because of that....

I'm a big fans of bands like "Death", "Carnage", "Entombed", "Kreator", "Carcass", "Bolt Thrower", "Malevolent Creation", ect ect...

I was completely blown away after hearing Bloodbath. This release is so amazing, I can't even find word to really describe it. It's totally beyond brutal. The vocals are straight from hell, and the musicainship is flawless....

The production of this release really stands out strong, and it's crystal clear. This is without a doubt one of the best Death Metal releases I've ever heard. It's very similar to Entombed's "Left Hand Path", but the vocals are better IMO. The guitars are also very melodic at times, and that gives it a nice flow. The riffs are very catchy as well....

Trust me, if you like any kind of "Death Metal" what so ever, Bloodbath is a must purchace for you. There hasn't been a better release in a very long time IMO, and I hope they decide to make another masterpiece like this one soon.....

Buy it with confidence. You'll love Bloodbath....

Shit, and I thought that Slayer's Divine Intervention was brutal! If you liked Opeth for their heavy moments only then get this! Its ten times as intense. This album has it all. Super low thunderous riffing, faster than hell drumming, and of course, Mikael Akerfeldt's insanely audible but evil as hell growl. If you love horror movies then you are in for the treat. The lyrics on this album are real winners. For example, "Your Life Will End In A Gush Of Red Foam." I mean this is the stuff dreams are made of! Best tracks are Ways To The Grave, Cry My Name, So You Die, and Buried By The Dead. The whole thing shreds really. Plus zombiefied artwork to go with it. I dont really even listen to Death Metal but this cant be passed up. Get Nightmares Made Flesh too because it is just as good as this one and is essential as well. In Fact, Nightmares Made Flesh has Peter Tatgren on vocals instead of Mikael, but he sounds just as good and audible. Dan Swano moved to guitar and the drummer and guitarist from Witchery finished the line-up. So, Nightmares Made Flesh has twice the solo's and soaring melodies with the added guitars. Totally recommended. Buy if you like Slayer, Opeth, or heavy metal in general. Nuff said

Many of the negative reviewers don't seem to get the point. This album wasn't recorded to be techincal or amazing at all. It was made to replicate the sound of the old Swedish Death metal bands. Entombed/Nihilist, Dismember, Carnage, ect. And it does that perfectlty.

The guitars achieve that awesome over-distorted "sunlight" sound featured on many early Swedish releases. The Vocal's are amazing, very deep and heavy, but not cookie monster style. They also have a certain rasp to them, or that might be the production. Whatever it is, it's great. Speeking of production, Couldn't of asked for better. Unlike the afformentioned bands' early records, this doesn't suffer from terrible production, the sound is quite clear. The lyrics aren't supposed to be intelligent and thought provoking, but toungue-in-cheek and gory, and they work just fine. This is, in all honesty, a "tribute album", but one with fresh and exciting new songs. Also, on a non-historical basis, this album tops Entombed's "Left Hand Path" or Carnage's "Dark Recollections" two of the most famous early Swedish Death metal releases.

I'm not giving this 5 stars because it's ground-braking, innovative, or amazing. It's not. It's a good-natured, fun, "return to roots" death metal album that replicates the sound of early Swedish Death Metal, and adds few twist of it's own. Before Gothenburg, before At The Gates. When death metal was simple, and REAL.