Artist: Dismember Album: Dismember

Year: 2008
Duration: 42:41

A Critical Review of the Album Dismember by Dismember

Metal and rock music have been around for years, with artists unapologetically blending the two for enthusiasts. One such artist is Dismember- a Swedish death metal band that came into existence in 1988. Consisting of musicians Matti Karki (vocals), Richard Cabeza (bass), and David Blomqvist (guitar), the band has released eight full-length albums and is still highly revered in the death metal scene. One of their most popular albums, Dismember, is a head-banging compilation of sounds that deserves a critical review. Join me as I take you through the journey that is Dismember by Dismember.

Dismember, released by Dismember in 1991, is a classic Swedish death metal album that leaves no room for subtlety or melodic interludes. From the first track to the last, the album embodies the aggressive, brutal, and grinding sound associated with death metal. With gut-wrenching growls, pounding drums, and thrashing guitars that give the album its signature sound, it's easy to see why Dismember has managed to remain relevant, even after 30 years since its release.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the rhythmic structure. Although the album has a consistent death metal sound, each track has its own rhythm and persona, leaving no room for monotony. Dismember was undoubtedly ahead of its time, with the tracks Skin Her Alive and Dismembered showcasing the band's lyrical and musical prowess, respectively.

While the entire album is a standout, Override of the Overture and And So Is Life stand out as truly remarkable tracks. Override of the Overture is a fast-paced track that truly captures the essence of Swedish death metal by packing the track with quick riffs, syllable-stressing vocals, and blast beats. And So Is Life, on the other hand, stands out for its deep, raw emotions expressed through lyrics, which is unusual for songs in the death metal genre.

As with all works of art, Dismember is not without its flaws. The album's only real weakness manifests in the sound-quality. Although the brashness of the music genre invites the raw, harsh sound that characterizes Dismember's tracks, the album's mixing, production, and mastering could have been more refined to elevate the album to its full potential. The remastered version of Dismember released in 2005 rectifies this flaw and provides listeners with a clearer, less blurred listening experience.

Dismember by Dismember may not be a perfect album, but it is without a doubt, one that played a significant role in revolutionizing death metal. With brutalizing riffs that slay, pounding drums, and harsh vocals that will leave your eardrums buzzing, it's easy to see why this album is still revered and celebrated 30 years after its release. This album may not be for everyone, but if you're a fan of death metal, it's a compelling album worth adding to your playlist.