Customer Reviews

Scream Bloody Gore

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love old Death....It's so very brutal!!

Scream Bloody Gore has to be Death at it's rawest, and most brutal sounding time ever. Although I have to say "Leprosy" is my favorite Death Cd, this was the begining of it all. Chuck was way ahead of his time when he put this gem together back in 1987.

The only reason I like "Leprosy" more, is because it's a little more mature, and polished. Not much, just enough. Scream Bloody Gore is about as raw as you can get.....

Chuck, and Death became major influences after this was heard. It started a whole new wave of Death Metal in the Tampa Bay, and S. Florida area.....Nasty Savage may have been the first influence down here, but Death was there in the begining as well.

What I love about this Cd compared to recent Death releases, is that it's very raw. You feel like your right there in the studio. The crunch is awesome, and Chuck has a great voice for this kind of music....His lyrics are genius. Chuck was born to play Death Metal.

Death is still going strong today, and although the old sound of the past has somewhat disappeared in my opinion, the important thing to remember is that Death hasn't sold out!!!.......

Scream Bloody Gore, and Leprosy are my favorite Death Cd's.

If you have yet to hear this, and you consider yourself a Death Metal fan, your wrong!!!......You must first hear this to become worthy.

I'd heard a lot about Death, both before and after Chuck Schuldiner's tragic passing to cancer in 2001. Considering that near constant line-up changes had given Death near one-man band status and considering that Schuldiner played all but the drums on this album, I'd always intended to buy some albums by the band. For some reason, it has taken me until now to purchase one, but it has to be said that has been worth the wait.

To the inexperienced death metal fan who has only heard more recent albums, Scream Bloody Gore may come across as crude and cliched. But even then it is still an incredible release. However, when taking into consideration that this was a debut, that it was the sole creation of one man and that it was one of the genre's first albums, it makes it all the more impressive.

The lyrics are completely gore-soaked, the songs are vicious yet much more than merely noise, some of the riffs are surprisingly melodic and the soloing is very sturdy. One thing that comes across on this album that I feel is missing from almost all more recent death metal (in fact, arguably all proper death metal from the past 10 years or so) is the sense of energy that in my mind has been missing in a lot of heavy music for a long time. This is a band who are just completely excited by what they are doing instead of cooly calculating how to get the thickest guitar tone or the fastest blast beat, and to me it makes the whole listening experience far more intense.

I would have to say that if you are into heavy music then definately get this album. There may be those that are faster, heavier or more technical (indeed, by this band themselves if not others) but that doesn't matter. The pure energy pouring off this album makes it all worth it.

Chuck Schuldiner will be remembered as one of the most innovative and truly talented performers in all of extreme metal. It's a bit of a shame though, that in the latter part of his all-too-short life, he had pretty much disowned some of his earlier accomplishments, one of which was Death's cult-classic debut album, 'Scream Bloody Gore'. Because while it may not be as technically accomplished or as brainiac as, say, 'Symbolic', this album pretty much launched a whole new metal subculture and still stands as a definitive example of the term "death metal".

While the OTT cheese factor is painfully apparent in the lyrics and song titles (see "Regurgitated Guts" for an earlier example of the roots from which Cannibal Corpse would later create musical snuff-porn), it's hard not to notice Chuck's abilities as a guitarist and songwriter, and the result is a truly entertaining slab of B-movie metal that still stands on it's own today. Fact is, Chuck pretty much invented death metal, combining blood-and-gore lyrics, doom-laden E-minor riffs delivered at (at the time) insane holocaustical speeds, and, of course, the now-famous "cookie monster" blowtorch vocals which every death metal vocalist in the world would emulate to this day.

Still a favorite guilty pleasure, 'S.B.G.' remains one of the most important albums in all of extreme metal. Chuck would go on to much more musical and intellectually superior things before his tragic demise from cancer, but this album's fun factor simply can't be denied...a totally essential purchase.

This album invented at a take an entire genre. Chuck and crew (including Chris R. later of Autopsy fame) weld together Possessed and Slayer-influenced riffs with demonic low-pitched screams (something new at the time!) to form an entirely original juggernaut: Death Metal. The guitar playing is simple but utterly inspired. The melodies are absolutely perfect in their dark malevolence - no filler notes, no extraneous material, no wasted emotion. It goes straight for your throat and bludgeons you with expert technical finesse - the music must be experienced (preferably at top volume!) to be believed. There is a strain of poisonous intensity running through these songs that makes them transcend the attempts of bands that followed this essential, groundbreaking, beautifully evil album. A must buy.

UA

Well I figured after bombing my test this morning and today being 6/6/06 I'd celebrate by writing a review for this classic album. This is old school death metal at its finest and as you may have noticed that is my favorite kind of DM. However, it's sort of ironic that I actually like Human, Symbolic a little better.

Anyway this album serves up brutality in its rawest form. These were the good ole days before the progessive and melodic tendencies would take over the genre, don't get me wrong I like that stuff do but not quite as much, this is when DM was a tad more exciting. This album also continued on the standard that Possessed laid out with the legendary Seven Churches and help pave the way for this so called "boring and unimaginative" genre.

Chuck's voice here is at its most guttural and indecipherable but they kick serious *ss and really add to the whole ambient horror theme he's going for. He can shriek like a banshee for christ's sake! His vocals would become even higher pitched on each subsequent album, but back then his were undeniably the most insane in all of metal. The guitars? NIGHTMARISH! The guitar tone also adds the perfect flavor for these gore-influenced lyrics and subjects, the epitome of evil is Chuck's guitar and the man can solo like a mofo. Another factor I really like about this album is that they really throw the bass into the mix and it sounds just devastating, something that really lacks in later DM releases and metal in general. By the way, Chuck recorded the bass parts too, that just might be why they're so friggin awesome. Chris Reifert, who was only on this album is certainly no slouch behind the kit and can pound away fast enough to keep up with Chuck's monster riffs.

As for the actual songs this one's got some real neck-breakers. The two longest and best songs Zombie Ritual and the title track are a treat. The former became a fan favorite and sounds great on their live album, it has the great Egyptian-like intro riff, thick bass, and one of the catchiest choruses in DM. The title track has a cool build-up opening thrashy riff and then proceeds to bash your skull in with perhaps the most complex song on the album with superb double bass drumming too. The rest of the songs are pretty good too with enough gore and depravity to satisfy even the most twisted and deranged minds. The opening track has that classic "DIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!" intro, Sacrificial has the hilarious chorus of Chuck belting out "SACRIFICIALLLLLLL! C*NT!!!!", Torn to Pieces is also quite comical, and Mutilation is just plain brutal.

Obviously this is another required addition to your metal collection especially if you want to see the roots of one of the best subgenres this wonderful music (that DOES require talent) they call heavy metal. Also get Morbid Angel's Altars of Madness, Obituary's Slowly We Rot, Possessed's Seven Churches, Deicide's Legion and Death's Leprosy for more great old school DM. LATER.

1987. The metal world mostly listened to Iron Maiden, Guns N'Roses and Bay-Area thrash metal. When all of a sudden from Florida came the band that took extreme music to the extremes. Nothing like that was ever heard before, although the influences of Slayer, Venom and Celtic Frost (even Hellhammer) are clearly audible in this record.
The guitars sent waves after waves of heavy as hell low-toned riffs, the drummer went wild, and the most shocking were the vocals, screaming, growling, roaring, violent, bestial. The world came to know death-metal, genre that seemed rather primitive at that time but by now has evolved into complex and really varied music.

This musical mayhem goes on through all the tracks of this record never giving way to lighter stuff.
At the same time, everything was executed with tastefulness and finesse, that is a usual part of any Chuck Schuldiner's work.

This record belongs to the most influential in metal, and definitely must be heard.

R.I.P., Chuck. You've made many friends all over the world, most of them you never saw in person, but they will remember you.

I initially became familiar with Death through Symbolic and Sound of Perseverance, and though I'd read all about how raw, heavy and primitive this album is, it still came as a bit of a surprise when I got it. It's hard to believe something this intense was released in 1987. Tons of speed and brutality here, with fully developed Death metal growl/grunts coming from Chuck.(Which, fortunately, have not been electronically mangled to the point at which you wonder why they had a human sing them in the first place.) Its got very, very low production values, but I think that they actually work all right considering the sort of music found here. This album has tons of energy. As other reviewers have said, they sound like they are actually having fun and just trying to make music rather than calulatedly creating the heaviest album on earth.(As do some metal bands.) It's actually rather punkish, moreso than just about any other metal album I've ever heard. Still it is most definitely a death metal album. Fortunately, despite the primitive production the riffs can still be made out, because the mix actually emphasizes the rhythm guitar(!) unlike many death metal albums. Chuck Schuldiner isn't near the sort of guitarist he would become, but he still writes some quality riffs. (There are some rather good solos from time to time too. See Denial of Life and the title track.) Chris Reifert sure as hell isn't Reinert, Hoglan or Christy, but complex drums aren't really needed here, and he still provides a solid backbone for the music.

Chuck's compositional skills and tendencies are still somewhat apparent here, even if they are much less developed than on later material. Though it's largely a speedy affair it never becomes tedious or monotonous. Tempo changes abound particularly on Zombie Ritual and Sacrificial, and he never drives a certain riff into the ground. The surprising thing about this album is just how memorable it is. Most of the songs have an immediately memorable or even catchy chorus, which is something of a rarity in death metal. Of course, strong riffs are more improtant than memorable hooks, in metal, but having both is always preferable.(which this does.) It's pretty solid from beginning to end. Mutilation and Regurgitated Guts are probably the weakest tracks, but they aren't really bad, just not terribly distinctive or inspired. (Though Chucks growling Mutilation! Mutilation! Mutilation! Mutilation, mutilation, mutilation!! is pretty cool) Denial of Life is definitely my favorite track. It's got a sweet vocal line in the chorus paired with the best riff on the album, and a short but cool solo. Infernal Death is a classic opener particularly the lead in riff giving way to Chuck's growling than shrieking than growling "Die! Die! Die!". Truly, a great way to set up the album. Zombie Ritual, Baptized in Blood and Sacrificial are all stand out tracks, with all of them containing great choruses and tempo changes. The rest of the tracks are solid as well. The 2 bonus tracks on my version are good as well, particularly Beyond the Unholy Grave. Still, nothing here other than Denial of Life is really fantasic, just good, and it doesn't have much textural or tonal variety, so I'm forced to give this 4, not 5, stars.

Fans introduced to Death through their 90's material may or may not be into this. I was, and I like it, but I know many don't. Those not into metal certainly won't get into it through this, but none of them are reading this anyway. If you've heard no Death I recommend you start with this, just to put the later albums in perspective. And if you don't like this, go buy Sound of Perseverance anyway.

Thats it. END REVIEW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is DEATH's first album Scream, Bloody Gore!! This is a blistering, raw, rough ride through the horror movie psyche of then 20 year old Chuck Schuldiner over brutal guitar riffs and deadly drums. Yes, campy as the lyrics and overall feel may be this is still a hell of an album to listen to.
I know its HIGHLY debatable, but contrary to popular opinion, I consider this album the worlds first death album. I know, Possessed released their first album two years prior but in my opinion their sound was not quite pure death. It was as close as it gets but it sounded just a tad more like sludgy thrash than what I would consider full-fledged death. For that you would have to look no further than this album here. This is, despite being raw and primitive, a way more polished finished product than Possessed's stuff.
This is for those who can take it raw. Raw Death. Try it baby...you might just like it!!

While not as mature or good as their later releases, Death's raw debut still holds a worthy place in my collection. With it's horror movie influenced lyrics, Slayer-like riffs and solos, and poor sound quality, this is about as Death Metal as Death Metal gets. Chuck really paved the way for a genre with this album, and he does not get NEARLY enough recognition. While I am not the biggest fan of Death Metal in general(I'm much more of a thrash and progressive type of guy), I like a few Death metal bands, and Death is my favorite of those. This album has some great songs, but it is very basic, and easily Death's worst album. However, considering how good all their albums are, this is not a bad thing! If you are familiar with Death's later work, you may want to check out Leprosy before you go near this, as it is a bit different than their later works. Still, songs like "Infernal Death", "Zombie Ritual", and "Evil Dead" will always be great straight up Death Metal tunes. If you are a fan of the genre, you already have this. If not, check it out, but be warned, it's raw, brutal death metal, and not everyone will dig it. It's terribly tragic that Chuck died, and he will always be missed. R.I.P. man

I just wanted to express my deepest regards for Chuck, his family, and all of his friends. He was a true pioneer of the "Death Metal" scene during his entire musical career.

He was, and will always be loved by those who he touched with his musical genius....We most certainly lost one, if not the most influencial "Death Metal" musicians of all time. He'll never be forgotten, and his music will remain for all to enjoy.

RIP CHUCK
Death fan since 1987