Okay, so it grew on me...
Jerry | Northern NJ, USA | 03/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Three years ago I gave this album a bad review. At the time I was so hooked on "Temple of the Morning Star" and "In the Eyes of God" that I now admit I didn't give this CD enough of a chance. In the time since then, this album has grown on me more than any other TITD release. It is even less conventional than their other stuff (which is saying a lot), but that makes it even more special. It's not quite as heavy, but among metal it is totally unique. You won't find another album quite like this, as far as songwriting, odd instrumentation, and the sick feeling of internalized anger and hopelessness that Steve Austin conveys. These songs combine power, honest emotion, rage, deprevity, isolation and dementia like few things I've ever heard. Specifically: "Marked", "Realization", "Black Iron Prison", "Mountain People", and my personal highlight, the amazing "Ripped Off".I owe Steve an apology on this one. I've seen TITD live many times, but I didn't quite "get" this album for a while. I get it now though, and it's one of my favorites, right up there with "Temple..."."