Published on Feb 6, 2002
Morbid Angel opened for Pantera when I saw Pantera about a year
ago. It was the first time I saw death metal played live. The
Morbid Angel drummer was amazing, and I sat there with my jaw on
the floor. Seeing this genre performed live gave me a new
perspective that I’ve carried for the last year, that my
preconceived notion that death metal is a bunch of talentless
musicians that play fast in order to hide their lack of talent. I
remember how I got that impression. I listened to Dimmu Borgir,
couldn’t understand a word, and then read a zine that said they
were the best in the genre. I thought, “This is the best?” Good
heavens.
However, thanks to seeing Morbid Angel in concert, and being on
several death metal label promo lists, it’s getting to the point
where I can pick out a “good” death metal band from a stack of
death metal CDs that all claim they are good. I still don’t
understand the appeal of this genre, beyond its musicianship,
because the Satanic lyrics here don’t interest me at all. Rather, I
like Nephasth for its musicanship and that’s it.
First of all, drummer Mauricio Weimar is one heck of a drummer,
maybe the Lars Ulrich or Dave Lombardo of death metal. Fast,
furious, but beyond that, he doesn’t play the typical blast beat.
He alternates between his hi-hat and ride cymbal within seconds,
sometimes alternating measures – one measure hi-hat, one measure
ride. It’s truly amazing drumming. The double-bass work is
thundering and alternates between straight sixteenth notes and
syncopation, like on “False Pride.” It’s truly inspiring to listen
to Weimar assault his drums.
Second of all, this release actually contains guitar solos, a
rarity in the death metal genre. Yet, on the short 2:14 blast that
is called “Empty Holy Reaching”, guitarists Rafael Barros and
Marcos Moura have constructed a gem of death metal.
Third, and finally, I have to come back to the drumming, much
like a reviewer is compelled to do when reviewing Rush’s
Moving Pictures. “Visions Of Fury” is a prime example of
what aspiring death musicians should strive to achieve. There is
double-bass syncopation, followed by 1-2-3-4 on the snare, followed
by quick changes from ride to hi-hat to ride to hi-hat.
In sum, this CD is like a Vinnie Moore or a Joe Stump CD for
drummers. The workout you get from trying to keep up with drummer
Mauricio Weimar leaves you out of breath. Death metal drummers,
learn to air-drum to this CD.