Search - Chasm :: Procession to the Infraworld

Creative ,Melodic Death Metal

theinfraworld | 09/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, this album from Mexico's finenest Death Metal band, The Chasm, is called "Procession to the Infraworld," not Underworld as Cdnow lists it. Lyricaly, the Chasm usually write about alternate planes of existence, life/death, and impending doom or sorrow. Little of their music had anything to with the underworld, so this false title is misleading. If the Chasm's lyrics draw from any religious source, it would be the spectral Mictlan, or Aztec legends, history, and mythology.







Musically, the Chasm have achieved what few currently active bands have: a melodic Death Metal sound that in no way borrows from or imitates the old or current Swedish melodic Death Metal bands. Although the Chasm relies on interesting harmonies, they never sound like happy, catchy commercial jingles like the Swedish bands. When they harmonize a melody, they almost exclusively rely on minor scales or other dissonant derivatives, creating a very frightful aura that seems to mix equal parts anger and sorrow. I know all significant Death Metal bands--dating back to the genre's inception--and I don't recall ever hearing a band that has acheived this unique blend of emotion.







Antonio Leon, the drummer, is not nearly as spectacular as Morbid Angel's Pete Sandoval or the legendary Gene Hoglan, but he does one thing they don't do: he doesn't rely on gallopy double bass, thrash beats, or blast beats. He is very creative, using a wide variety of styles within a single song. And every song seems to refreshing and different from the previous one (which is so rare in Death Metal) because of creative and varied drumming.







Not much can be said for vocals. Nearly all death metal band sing in either a grunt, a growl, a screech, a howl, or some mixture thereof. If you like death metal, the vocals will not displease you; however, no new vocal developments are procreated by this album. In fact, I don't think we will ever see an advancement in Death Metal vocals.







If you are looking for a creative, original Death Metal band that employs dark harmonies and varied speeds, I highly recommend this album. It truly is a milestone in Death Metal--an underappreciated gem. If you are looking for blasting grindcore, Old School Death Metal, or the Swedish style, stay away from this album. I only recommend to the Death Metal user, looking to expand his or her musical horizons within the Death Metal genre.

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Spectacularly Unique

Finn McChuil | Druids Hollow, Eire | 06/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Chasm are the first Mexican band to undeniably put the country on the map of death metal. This album is brutal, relentless, and posesses a hint of doom and melody. The band are truly gifted musicians even for a metal band,and sound so accomplished you would think that they practice all of their awaken hours. This cd already is among my alltime favorites."