UMUR
"Intercepting Fist" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US, New Jersey based death metal act Dim Mak. The album was released through Olympic Recordings in March 2002. It´s the successor to "Enter the Dragon" from 1999 and features the exact same four-piece lineup who recorded the predecessor.
Dim Mak features several former members of Ripping Corpse and "Enter the Dragon (1999)" was in many ways a continuation of the brutal thrash/death metal of Ripping Corpse debut- and sole full-length studio album "Dreaming with The Dead (1991)", but with a martial arts lyrical themes (check out song titles like "Tai Pan Snake Venom" and "Phoenix Eye Fist"). "Intercepting Fist" is the natural successor to "Enter the Dragon (1999)" and continues the brutal thrash/death metal style of that release. Scott Ruth´s brutal aggressive semi-growling vocals are the defining feature of the band´s sound, and what make them stand out in addition to the unconventional lyrical themes. The instrumental part of the music is aggressive death metal with brutal thrash metal leanings. Dim Mak play both fast and mid-paced groove laden heavy sections.
"Intercepting Fist" features a decent quality sound production. It could have been more detailed and well defined, but if you prefer them raw and organic, this one certainly qualifies. The musicianship is also on a high level, but the songwriting is a bit one-dimensional in nature, and a few more catchy memorable moments could have made the album a bit more interesting. There aren´t many hooks to hold on to and it´s not an album you remember much from when it´s finished playing. It´s not a major issue, but it´s not a positive either. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is deserved.