Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars)



List All 26 Reviews
Awesome!
Not very often does one come across a musician as great as Death's Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.). Symbolic is just another one of his masterpieces that show how truly talented he, and "Mean" Gene Hoglan, really are. A must have for any music listener that is also a performer. Just listening to this album will make you better at your instrument.
Submitted by ceexes (Carbondale, IL, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
The most melodic and inspiring Death masterpiece
Well, I just ordered this CD from here a few weeks ago and Death is already one of my very favorite bands. One of the true creators of the death metal genre, they have evolved past just death metal to add progressive and melodic elements to the music. Over the years their releases grow more technical, more melodic, more complex...just improvement after improvement thanks to the sole remaining original member and mastermind, Chuck Schuldiner.
Symbolic may be the very peak of Death...this album or their 1998 release, The Sound Of Perseverance...it's disoutable. The song lengths on this album are for the most part longer than on previous albums and one of the main things is that this is easily Death's most melodic CD. There is no lack of heaviness, shredding, and double-bass...there's an excess of that without a doubt, but the injection if mesmerizing melody is used in just the right places at just the right times to make the perfect blend of extreme heaviness and uplfiting melodies. I gave this album a perfect 5 rating...simply because that is about as perfect as an album as you get.
The sound quality is crystal clear...and every important element of the band can be heard. This album was recorded at the Morrisound Studio and produced by Jim Morris...who has done the same for bands such as Iced Earth...so he knowns what he's doing. Anyway, the sound quality is perfect, mixed perfect...there's nothing to complain about.
Now, the numero uno thing here is clearly the content. This is a CD that you won't need to touch your skip button. It might as well be a vinyl because it's sin not to listen to the entire thing through more times than you can shake a stick at. All 9 tracks are special and unique, well though out and outright incredible in their own way. There is no filler here...absolutely none, all of these songs could be included on a "best of" compilation without a doubt.
Gene Hoglan's drums are chaotic, technical and just off the wall. You'll be hard pressed to find any drummer who can come close to duplicating this man. His style of drumming so original and so refreshing...he's one of the very best. To be in bands like Strapping Young Lad, Dark Angel, and Death...you know he's something extraordinary.
Chuck Schuldiner's guitar work is more technical, melodic and off the wall tha never as well. His leads are more grabbing witn every album and on this he truly shows that he may be the greatest guitarist to ever live. His complex riffs, melodic leads and extremely complex guitar work will put you in a state of awe without a doubt. Also, his vocals are much more high on this album than previous Death albums. They would become even more high on the final Death album, The Sound Of Perseverance, but these vocals are kick ass, if you ask me. They have the deep aggressivenes and high pitch...a wonderful death metal vocal blend.
That's pretty much all. It's incredibly difficult to name standout tracks because this album contains nothing, but the best. However, my three favorite are Perennial Quest, Empty Words, 1,000 Eyes, and Without Judgment. But really it's a matter of preference...not once on this album will you feel dissapointed or even close to it. If you love death metal or if you just love melodic, heavy metal...this album has your name on it. If you consider yourself a metalhead and are without this opus, order it now before the Gods Of Metal strike you down. Chuck Schuldiner, you will be truly missed and it's unfortunate that you were taken from us when you had so much left in you...so much life to live and incredible music to give, but your legacy forever lives on through your works. Chuck, R.I.P...LET THE METAL FLOW!
Submitted by Walter (West Creek, NJ, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
freekin killer
this cd rocks. not as good as individual thought patterns but it still kicks.
Submitted by mrwertz (fairfield, Ca) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Simply AMAZING
Death's best work, ever. THIS is what metal is about, my friends. If you like Death or any metal for that matter, I highly suggest this masterpiece.
Submitted by cjl120120 (New Rochelle, NY, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
Killer!
My favourite 'death' album.
Submitted by cameron (Sydney, Australia)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
Share this Product