AUTOPSY „Severed Survival”

After recording in 1987 together with Chuck Schuldiner, Death's debutant cd, “Scream Bloody Gore”, Chris Reifert-singer, drummer- was kicked out of the band (it happened to nearly all of the future Death's musicians). He decided that he wasn't gonna waste time, and later in the year he formed Autopsy- a band, which very fast became one of the number one bands on the death metal scene. After 2 years of trying and recording 2 demo tapes (names: „Demo 87″ & „Critical Madness”) the band signed a record deal with a British label, Peaceville and so came out the band's first album called „Severed Survival” of which the review below is about. Interesting detail is that during the recording sessions Steve Di Giorgio (Sadus' bass player and also Death's future bass player) helped out. Autopsy was the pioneer of gore-death metal, which was later continued by “Cannibal Corpse” and a few other bands. The music on the „Severed Survival” album was more brutal than most of the death metal bands of that time. The only band that could compete with Autopsy at that time, was Obituary, their debutant cd, which was released in the same year.

On “Severed Survival” you won't see any subtle guitar playing or any other “fancy” stuff. What you will get is deadly guitar riffs and a singer who throws his guts up to the mic, plus a huge rhythm section. Main topics of Autopsy's lyrics is decaying, guts, cannibalism, etc. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? The guys from Autopsy were the ones (and a few other bands) who created a morbid section of death metal. With their sick ideas they inspired thousands of young musicians. And for that they need to be respected forever. Although the band fell apart a few years ago, it's still alive in the heads of thousands of death metal fans.This album is a ” must have” for every “old school death metal” fan.

Translated by: Motorbreath

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1.Charred Remains
2.Service For A Vacant Coffin
3.Disembowel
4.Gasping For Air
5. Ridden With Disease
6.Pagan Saviour
7.Impending Dread
8.Severed Survival
9.Critical Madness
10.Embalmed
11.Stillborn

Line-up

Chris Reifert
Eric Cutler
Danny Corales
Ken Sorvari