Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Decapitated - Organic Hallucinosis - 2006 - Earache Records

Track Listing1. A Poem About An Old Prison Man 2. Day 69 3. Revelation Of Existence 4. Post (?) Organic 5. Visual Delusion 6. Flash-B(1)ack 7. Invisible Control

Decapitated have taken over. No doubt about it at this point. This Polish act are developing and releasing some of the most cutting edge slabs of death metal precision, presenting exhibit A with "Organic Hallucinosis". There isn't a band out there within this genre that can even come close to the talent and ability of Decapitated. The band is that good, simply going beyond the average romp and growl and taking their musicianship and songwriting to a whole new level, a much higher domain that at this point only houses Decapitated. With "Organic Hallucinosis" the group have reached their destiny, finally achieving perfection with these song selections.

The band have teamed up with the Wieslawscy brothers, who have worked wonders with fellow Poland mates Vader, to design the perfect soundscape for this material. The production is extremely tight with plenty of bottom heaviness for the overall sound, but still allowing the fast riffs to sound crystal clear, even going as far as giving the leads a slightly louder sound as the songs climax. This is the first Decapitated album to feature Covan on vocals, who replaces long time singer Sauron. I think Covan's vocals are the perfect fit for the band, not quite deep enough to really be DEATH but sort of a mixture of a hardcore spoken style with a fluid abrasive tone.

At times I think this may be the heaviest thing I have ever heard. The stomp sections here are just absolutely brutal, really sounding as if it was recorded in a bolt making factory, or better yet sounding as though a huge lumbering tug boat is lifting a battleship from the icy depths. Every track here unfolds with vicious delight, really a smooth, calculated affair that has quick, sharp guitars mixed with huge stomp riffs. Vogg proves here that he is probably the best guitarist within the genre, just exploding into some melodic lead playing and of course keeping pace with the best of Slayer, Vader, Morbid Angel, etc. Vitek hits plenty of blast beats behind the kit, at times just leaving me breathless with his skills. Obvious highlights for me are "Day 69" and "Post (?) Organic".

Bottom Line - Within the death metal genre I give this album a 9 out of 10. I dare an aggressive band to step up and be this creative and precise.



--EC 03.01.06