Cancer-Dead Shall Rise (Re-release Blue Vinyl 2014)

I must say this is hell of a great album. If you are looking for cool and heavy yet technical riffs, catchy melodies, doom atmosphere, damnation lyrics, guitar slashing solos and those remarkable guttural vocals, this is it, this record is the one you are looking for. Not only is considered the best selling death metal album but it marks the evolving path for one of the best death bands who achieved worldwide recognition because of their impressive musical skills. The vocals, less to say are perfect for the genre, the guitar crunch and the total devastation holocaust feeling takes you to a post nuclear desert that is unavoidable, the improvement lies in technical skills and complexity with great tempo changes and textures, not to mention that The drummer does not need to go at full speed but he focuses on good rhythm techniques which is outstanding. The guitar duet takes your breath away. They were along with the others the best line up they ever had. When it comes to the songs "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" is the perfect opener, now you get the idea what the album is like. Back to one follows and the mid tempo rhythm with the tempo changes and drummer playing with his pedals are amazing, excellent riffs and outstanding rhythm parts in addition to their catchiness. To me, this album is more mature. There are heavier songs thou they are not like those from "To the gory end" but still it is an amazing and surprising album for every taste even if you are not a hardcore old school death metal fan because this one sure is innovator. It is a pity that it was in fact their last solid record in all aspects, this one is great but their next releases lack something whether speed, aggressiveness, death atmosphere or anything or simply: feeling. In all a standout for the catastrophic 90s but it manages to fit perfectly in the new death metal fashion. Again, Cancer created a unique sound that will last for many years to come. Once again great job Cyclone Empire records. Features two bonus tracks "Hung, Drawn And Quartered (Live 1992)" and "Blood Bath" (Live 1992) Both Tracks recorded live at Milwaukee Metalfest 1992 by Ron Goudie.This is the real deal!
www.facebook.com/CancerBandUK
www.metal-recycler.de
hage@cyclone-empire.com
Review by Paul Caravasi