Search - At the Gates :: Slaughter of the Soul

This is an Awesome Deal!

Quentin Tarantino Fan | nowhere | 02/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As far as melodic death metal goes, no other album besides this has done as much magic for me. The genre they play in really isn't that interesting to me compared to death metal and whatever genres Atheist/Cynic/Dillinger Escape Plan/Meshuggah/Gorguts' Obscura fall into. However, I do like The Gallery, and I love Storm Of The Light's Bane, even if it isn't classified as just Melodic Death Metal. This is essential for getting into the genre, along with the Gallery (sparked my interest in the genre). Yeah, I guess you could add In Flames' revered The Jester Race to the mix, though It sure didn't help me like the genre.



This album, however, blows away all the competition with it's ample dose of pure no-bull____ approach, wit the signature Melodic Death metal tendencies. This album doesn't waste time with excess soloing, excessive melodies that just sounds boring, stupid interludes (the interludes here are placed great and don't ruin the album's approach), awkward attempts at flowing (listen to the beginning of Midway Through Infinity on The Gallery for an example) and attempts at a cold atmosphere. You do get Reign In Blood like trash with more dynamics, with extremely bad @$$ melodies like a hybrid of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Metallica's Kill Em All. Don't worry, there still is the melodic death metal sound. The vocals are a shrieking rasp, the dual guitar approach is there, and there are acoustic interludes and calm interludes. This combination of music fuses to create the very best in the Melodic Death Metal genre.



So you know the music is ace, but let's discuss what else you get besides a classic album that sounds bright, punchy, and fantastic remastered. The DVD is feature packed, especially for a bonus DVD. Unlike some bonus DVD's that give you three music videos and a crappy making of documentary, you get a hearty dose of goodness in the form of entertainment and information. A whole live performance of eight songs (Terminal Spirit Disease, Cold, The Swarm, Blinded By Fear, Naseau, Forever Blind, Need, Kingdom Come) is included, plus a music video for Blinded By Fear. The picture quality isn't blu-ray quality, but it gets the job done, and you see more than just the guitarist shredding and everything else completely ignored. The making of the album is a real gem, as it's thirty five minutes long. There are some deleted scenes, and interactive menus, so it surely feels like a real DVD. Sure, not featured packed like A Simpsons DVD, but it's good.



The bonus tracks consist of an unreleased session track, two demos, and the rest of covers. Actually, the covers are the best songs here. Captor of Sin, Bister Verklighet, and Legion all kick, capturing the song with their own brand of music. The demos really are just a relic not worth listening to under very special circumstances if you are this, and only really listened to once or twice. The outtake is still kind of an outtake, so It didn't do much for me. But I still say it' something you should have, especially if you like the tracks more than me. Besides, they are free with the album, so no loss.



With the remaster, bonus tracks, cool liner notes with plenty of information, and a full fledged DVD (no crappy worthless AOL caliber DVD with two music videos), It makes this album get the highest score possible. Sure, it may not appeal to everybody (or those poor souls who somehow thought this was a sellout), but who cares? Pick it up, kiddies, and school yourself.



10/10"