The fifth album from New York's death metal legend's Immolation who have released albums for both Roadrunner and Metal Blade Records over their decade plus career. Century Media. 2002.
The fifth album from New York's death metal legend's Immolation who have released albums for both Roadrunner and Metal Blade Records over their decade plus career. Century Media. 2002.
CD Reviews
Wow!! What an intelligent album!
Westsoul | Ontario, Canada | 04/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The members of Immolation are true masters and geniuses in the realm of dark art. Their lyrics are very sophisticated; way better than Deicide's. As a Christian, I can relate to the hypocrisy in Christianity. We have Evangelists preaching about what it is to be a good Christian, while they are stealing the congregation's money, priests molestating poor little children and killing too many people in the name of God. These people are not Christian and they give Christians a bad name!For those who have not listened to Death Metal, please give this album a try. The music is dirty and brutal. I wouldn't have it any other way. The lyrics really got to me. We all from time to time have wondered about God and what the hell is going on in this world. Immolation speaks for those who have thought about this hypocrisy, but have been afraid to talk about it!Who cares if you are Wiccan, Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddist, Muslim or Satanist. Just be good to each other.Thanks Immolation for a heart-felt album!! This album will be or already is, a classic.P.S. Who the hell is this "Fred Dursts numba one fan!!"Regards,
Westsoul"
Not your average death metal album
Al Bondigas | Colorado, USA | 05/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever wonder why most death metal albums on Amazon have 4 or 5 star ratings? It's because you have a certain group of people who like to "support the scene" by giving out 5-star "props" to mediocre albums. Just to let you know, I'm not one of those reviewers.I've been into Immolation for a long time, and admire all of their albums. However, this is the first one that I think falls into the "could hardly be better" category. Brutal, coherent riffs and vocals, masterful songwriting, distilled into eight songs which are all distinct and uniquely unforgettable. When was the last time you could say that about a DM album? As many of you on the "scene" can attest, the best bands usually break up, become stagnant, or trail off into mediocrity after a few albums. Immolation, on the other hand, is smashing the envelope, stretching the tired carcass of death metal into daring new directions to the extent not seen since the early Morbid Angel era.This was the best heavy metal album of 2002, bar none. Enslaved "Below the Lights" was the best of 2003. The 2004 spot is still open, and rumor has it that Immolation has a new one on the way.
It's a good time to be a metalhead again."
Better than its parts
virratmetal | Tampere, Finland | 02/11/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this cd recently after reading some reviews. Blasphemously Immolation have been hiding from my collection to this day. First I thought this is your ordinary post-Morbid Angelous prog-deathmetal, with nothing new to offer. But after couple of listenings this unholy thing surprised me. It is very good. Like today's MA with memorable songs. Record is extremely heavy when they slow down and repeat same killer riffs for minutes. I can compare this equally to Nile or mid-period Morbid Angel. Production isn't excellent, nor growling or musicians best in the sta(g)ke, but package as whole is killer. Excellent indeed. Lyrics of this band take one star away, Christianity can be criticized in more intelligent way than this Venom like spit from early eighties."
A Great, Memorable Effort By Some of the Best
Azrael | Lake Forest, CA USA | 12/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"With the release of "Unholy Cult", Immolation have once again put their undeniable stamp on the contemporary death metal scene. This album is a truly unique testament to both the talent and style that Immolation puts into their genre. Whereas "Close To A World Below" was a more straightforward, brutal album, "Unholy Cult" has a bigger emphasis on technicality and polyrhythmic capability by the band, vaguely reminiscent of the technical juggernaut known as Meshuggah.Immolation provides more than just great guitarwork, terrifying vocals and thunderous blasts on this album. They work to further solidify their own niche in the death metal scene, and do so with great vigor. Also notable on this album is that the lyrics this time around aren't quite so much directly blasphemous as much as they really attempt to inspire a sense a self-righteousness, authority, and self-reliance in the individual. I cannot quite say that this album entirely beats out Immolation's previous effort, but they certainly created a more than worthy addition to their catalogue with "Unholy Cult".Stand out tracks are the title track and "Rival The Eminant". If you're an Immolation fan or just a fan of death metal in general, it would be worth your while to at least check out some samples of this newly released masterpiece."
The Immolation of your Senses
Beastman | New Jersey | 11/24/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is in my opinion is the best one Immolation has done to date. The music is eerie and nerving(as it should be), and I really like the lyrics for the most part. On several songs the lyrics deal with the failures and blindness of humanity. Ross's vocals simply kill. You either love this or hate it, no in between. For those new to this band or style of music, Immolation has their own sound, they have put their stamp on death metal. And unlike failures for gods, the production is very good on this one. At the very least Immolation is unique, there is nothing I hate more than clones or bands who are bland and predictable.This album is worthy of at least being given a listen. There is nothing commercial about Immolation, the music is crafted out of passion. I personally don't go for religion bashing, however I respect others opinions. Metal if anything best stands for anti-censorship, that will always hold true. So in closing I highly recommend this album for a fan of death metal or any kind of extremity. Thank you for reading and enjoy."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1