Track Listing:
01. Overthrow the Sphere of Existence
02. Raging in Unrest
03. Halted Glory
04. Wounds of Confusion
05. Surgical Theater
06. The Everscathed
07. Evil Bleeds On
08. Shackled by Failure
09. Cries of Damnation’s Rebirth
10. …To the Place of Death Begotten

Rated:
7.5 / 10

Total Play Time:
49:25

Band's Webpage

Now here's a band that obviously respects their elders. The Everscathed showcase a very well though out approach to the golden days of death metal in the early nineties. They also toss in a bunch of late eighties thrashy moments that sure bring thoughts of the “good old days” to mind here. However, by no means are they new to the metal game. Formerly under the name of “Enmortem”, The Everscathed have been around since 1997, creating various demo’s with each increasing in musical ability, _expression, and overall production. With many line-up swaps and stylistic shifts, they eventually held a solid line-up with a clearer approach to what they wanted to create musically and a strong focus. Apparently the name change was used to portray the extreme differences of what the had played in the past as opposed to their present sound. Now, I haven’t heard the material they played under their former banner “Enmortem”, but at the current time, they are quite good, and well represented on this ten track full length. I really enjoy the production they did on this album as well. The sound levels are all placed nicely into the mix offering a quite unique sound actually. The bass is high in the mix (but not to the Spiral Architect level!) which sends out a darker, more ominous feeling towards the listener. Dark thick riffs play atop the bass and sporadic drumming, adding a nice depth to the overall sound. They show you that a band can be brutal and heavy without every really going at “hyper-speed” with their mid-paced brooding approach they offer us here. The vocals fit the music very nicely, reminding me occasionally of Obituary’s style. “W. Frickenstein” is the moniker the vocalist goes by and he’s very decipherable yet still heavy an intimidating. I must admit though that their names made me laugh. The band is comprised of the Frickenstein brothers, Satan Himzelff and B. Dalzell (formerly of Corpsevomit).

I have to say that I was sort of confused about the artwork for a while. I didn’t really recognize what the hell the cover actually was for quite some time. I thought it was just some random black an blue blotches, but in fact it’s a (get this), a razor. I felt like an idiot for a little while, but I somehow just didn’t make the connection. Hey, sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself, you know?

I don’t really have much to gripe about here other than the fact that the vocals are used too scarcely. In a five or six minute song, sometimes they will only have seven or eight lines of lyrics, and none that even repeat. However, the lyrics seem somewhat of decent intelligence. Musically though, this album offers everything you’d hope a mid-paced death thrash act would offer. Tons of groove is strewn all throughout this album with heaps of sinister overtones. For a debut full-length, this album sure is quite well done. Even if they have been around for quite some time, it’s still a difficult task to create an album that will be well received and enjoyed by the general public of the metal community. Upon first listen, they may not exactly stand out above the rest, but I think upon further listening, you can hear an original distinct approach here, that I’ve not heard offered anywhere else. As I said before, the bass offers something truly unique to their sound that I hope they don’t change upon releasing their next album. One thing to note as you listen to this album however is that you should be prepared as it gets better and better as it goes along (kind of like the fist two Annihilator albums did).

I’m not going to go ahead and call this album “essential” for anyone’s death metal collection per se, but it’s sure as hell a great look to the past glory of the early death metal scenes of Florida and New York. This is a highly competent album that I wouldn’t think anyone could dismiss as unoriginal or boring, but neither does it have that certain edge that would it put it into the top tiers of their contemporaries. One thing I will admit though is that they pay homage to the acts of old better than anyone else I’ve heard in a while. When all is said and done, it’s an interesting album at best, but I’m sure some will find it a bit more than that. If old school death metal or death/thrash is your thing, then be sure to at least check these guys out and give them a chance.