Six Feet Under are a bit of a death metal super group, since they contain members of Cannibal Corpse, Massacre and Death. Originally set up as a side project, Six Feet Under have gone on to have a very successful career, releasing 9 albums. Six Feet Under were originally set up to portray a slightly lighter side of death metal, with less blast beats and simpler parts. Death Rituals certainly fits the job it set out to do, with lighter, more metal and thrash riffs and only a few blast beats. The only aspect that is truly pure death metal is the vocals.
After listening through several times I am unimpressed. The vocals seem strained and sound similar to noises I make when I’m trying to squeeze out a rather large poo. There is a lack of power and range, with the same monotone grunt going on throughout. I know it’s supposed to be like that, but with the lessened parts there is more room to hear everything. The guitar riffs are pretty basic and fit in well the mediocrity of the album. I have heard a lot worse than this but for a band with members of such accreditation as Six Feet Under, you would expect a great deal more.
Death Rituals may be the lighter sound of death metal but I can’t see it bringing over any new fans to the genre. It’s kind of like own brand beans. You will eat them but only if all the Heinz ones are gone and unfortunately, in this analogy the alternatives are in abundance through the wonderful medium of the internet. For a band that have so much previous experience and that hav been around for so long I expected much, much more.
Save yourself the hassle and go and listen to Cannibal Corpse instead!
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Six Feet Under - Death Rituals (CD)
