DEATH „Human”

The story of Death is an intricate one. You could write a book about it so I'll just try to shed some light on the creation of “Human”, which is a true breaking point. After three albums and constant line-up changes it was time for the recording of the fourth album (and it is usually said that the third album is always a breaking point). Chuck Schuldiner decided to invite his old buddies for the session. Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert of Cynic and the bassplayer of Sadus, who doesn't need any further introduction, Steve Digiorgio joined the band. With this terrific line-up Chuck recorded one of the most important metal albums of the last decade. I don't know if he is rightfully called “the father of death metal”, though. After all Possessed”were first when releasing “Seven Churches”. They never had the same potential though, which they showed with their following releases “Beyond the Gates” and “The Eyes of Horror”. What I'm trying to say is that, according to me, the “lunatics” from San Francisco never took death metal to the musical heights of Chuck & Co.

Let's take a look at the contents of the album now. This is the most imortant part. Paul Reinert's battery assault opens up the album soon followed by the guitars. Being death metal it seems a little mellow. Then comes a dramatic pause and… the machinery gets started crushing you with speed and power. This is the beginning of “Flattening Emotions”. Chusck spits out the words in such a manner that I still get a chill in my spine when listening to this album. The lyrics are more mature than on the former albums. Philosophical, I might say. This is not all, the best part is yet to come. Chuck starts off with his trademark melodic solo that is very well worked through and after a while he encounters Masvidal in an fantastic guitar interaction. My opinion is that Paul was Chuck's best guitar partner in Death. He was more into the atmosphere of the band than James Murphy, also known from cooperation with Testament and Obituary. After this ingenious opening you feel that this is not just another album. Further on it only gets better. The musicians seem to give more and more. What follows is “Suicide Machine” one of the best songs. You can hear Digiorgio's jazz-like bass-lines and yet another superb solo, this time the author is Chuck solely. This man's guitar playing is puzzling. What amazes is not only the technical skill but also the fact that there is a lot of thought behind it – what is rare to find. I could go on like this forever, but its probably useless. During the whole album an incredibly high standard is maintained when it comes to musical skill and song writing. Every song is a “hit”. One composition stands out from the “Death formula”. I'm talking about the instrumental “Cosmic Sea” that was a foretaste of what could be expected from “Focus” – Cynic's experimental album that was released two years later.

To hear “Human” is a must. It is superior to “Spiritual Healing” in every aspect. It shows the amazing progress the band made – “Human” was released not more than a year after its predecessor. For your information only: the album was produced, as most of the Florida (!) death metal albums, in Morrisound Studio by the most prominent death metal producer in Tampa: Scott Burns. When taking the year (1991) in account, the sound is perfect; heavy and yet very selective in its nature. I guess that the production is the best one could get with the technology available in those days. – If you consider yourself a true fan of death metal and you haven't heard this record.. you're NOT! That's all.

Translated by: Artur A.T. Malachowski

note: 10/10

Tracklist

1. Flattening Of Emotions
2. Suicide Machine
3. Together As One
4. Secret Face
5.Lack Of Comprehension
6. See Through Dreams
7.Cosmic Sea
8.Vacant Planets

Line-up

Chuck Schuldiner
Sean Reinert
Paul Masvidal
Steve Digiorgio