Search - Death :: Fate - Best of

This "Best Of..." CD got me into death metal...

the-killer-dwarf | Milwaukee, WI USA | 01/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...along with Obituary's "Cause of Death," and I would highly recommend both! FYI, if you didn't already know, James Murphy, who played lead/rhythm guitars on Death's third release, "Spiritual Healing" ("Altering the Future" and the title track are featured on this CD), also previously played on Obituary's "Cause of Death," his only appearance with each respective band. I actually listened to songs off of both CDs for the first time on the same day. It was just before leaving to go to a Dio concert, and by the time I got to the concert, I wanted to listen to music that was a little "heftier" than Ronnie James Dio! Anyway, I was always a traditional metalhead: I graduated from high school in the mid-80's and listened to the hard rock/heavy metal of the times (Sabbath, Maiden, Testament, Slayer, etc.), although I tried to expand my metal listening tastes as time went on. I never actually liked what I perceived to be "death metal," which, to me, seemed like some guy barking and growling indecipherable "vocals" into a microphone; I had always prefered the "guitar virtuoso" metal and the like. On the other hand, perhaps through my own anger and frustation at some aspects of my life at the time, I wanted to experience harder, heavier, more driving music than what traditional metal provided. My eyes were opened when I first heard Death's horror movie influenced "Zombie Ritual," the first song on "Fate" and arguably Death's best song of all time. I had to have more! The entire CD is a great compilation, comprising the band's first four CDs, although I recommend listening to subsequent releases, as this band progressively gets better and better, although I wouldn't recommend that first-timers and fledglings start with something like "Sound of Perseverance".... Getting back to "Fate," this CD offers a comprehensive musical glimpse of the band up to their "Human" release, and of the death metal genre in general, so-named because of this band. If I had to select songs for this "Best of" compilation, I probably would have substituted "Evil Dead" for "Baptised in Blood" or Mutilation," all off of Death's first release, "Scream Bloody Gore." I would have also tried to get the title track of "Leprosy," or even "Choke on it," (same CD--"Leprosy") on this compilation, even if it meant adding more tracks! I'm sure that other listeners would want to add favorites of their own! If you're wondering whether this band is for you, check out this CD! For example, for those of you who like heavy, driving guitars and bass and a monstrously fast double bass drum line, check out "Open Casket," which also features some insightful, even somewhat comical, sad-but-true lyrics; for those of you that prefer deeper, more meaningful lyrics, check out "Spiritual Healing" and "Altering the Future;" for those of you that prefer heavy music in general, complete with complex guitar rythms, exciting tempo changes, intricate and thrilling guitar solos, along with a bottom end that almost leads more than follows...check out this CD! Then buy the rest of Death's CDs, at least from "Leprosy" forward! As for the "growling" vocals, I'll admit that they take a little getting used to, especially for a first-timer or someone like me who, at first, always "hated" death metal prior to this discovery, but you can actually understand them with with this band. Over time, as the band grew and changed line-ups, the lyrics became more thoughtful and, in turn, more thought-provoking. In any case, look past the "vocals" if you have to, because the musicianship on all of Death's CDs is far too superior to most metal bands to pass up! Finally, to echo what other reviewers have said: RIP Chuck, you are a musical genius and you could always find the greatest musicians to play on your records! You will always live through Death!"

I don't have much to say about this album...

marks_33914 | Coral Gables, FL United States | 06/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...other than that it contains some of Death's classic material. You really have to get their first four albums though in order to get all of their best material. What I really want to say is that many people don't realize that the genre was named after the band, not the other way around. Death are truly one of originators. What really sets Death apart from, say, Morbid Angel, is their lyrics. This stuff is very controversial and shockingly intelligent for a metal band, although Metallica should be given credit for their social commentary as well. It's clear that Schuldiner does not want his words to fall upon deaf ears. Perhaps that's why he sings with a style that is surprisingly easy to decipher. The only way that early Morbid Angel keeps up with early Death is that it surpasses it in atmosphere. Overall, these early compositions are superior in many ways to those of early Morbid Angel, although both bands would become very progressive and melodic later on. It's interesting how Schuldiner can repeat a phrase like "torn to pieces" over and over again, and yet it sounds like so much more. This is definitely worth having if you want your death metal collection to be even remotely respectable..."

I WILL TRULY MISS THIS LEGENDARY BAND.

Edgar Sanchez | los angeles, california United States | 12/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great compilation with many of deaths classic songs and is a great way to introduce new fans to this killer band.I would recommend getting the first four albums to truly get a feel for this band.Chuck schuldiner was a brilliant musician who will be forever remembered for his passion and talent.LONG LIVE DEATH!!!"