WHITE ZOMBIE — Make Them Die Slowly (review)

WHITE ZOMBIE — Make Them Die Slowly album cover Album · 1989 · Groove Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Unitron
Make Them Die Slowly is the second studio album from Industrial/Groove metal group White Zombie. This is a great example of a drastic change in both quality and style between two albums. After White Zombie's beginnings as a Noise rock band and recording a few EP's and one album with that approach, they decided to get heavier and closer to the style they would later be known for.

As for what it sounds like on this album, bassist Sean Yseult stated that bands like Metallica and Slayer were a big influence on them during this time. Listening to this album, you can definitely hear the influences. The album starts off strong with the sludgy beginning of 'Demonspeed', before firing in chugging thrash riffs. Rob Zombie's vocals have also immensely improved, taking a bit of a lower tone. This Doom-Thrash hybrid really sets the stage for the album, and is definitely one of my favorites. 'Acid Flesh' is another highlight, which reminds me a lot of Slayer. Lots of fast and brutal riffing, combined with the rawness of Rob Zombie's vocals, makes this a great track.

Probably my favorite thing about this album is how perfectly it's able to combine Black Sabbath-esque doom metal and classic thrash. You would think combining two kinds of metal that are pretty much the opposite from one another would be difficult, but White Zombie does it with ease. The song that perfectly showcases this is 'Murderworld', which constantly shifts from fast thrash shredding to meandering sludgy dirges. The seven-minute finale 'Godslayer', also combines the two styles very well. It changes from fast thrash guitar to droning doom parts often. Sometimes the vocals are enough to provoke a doom metal feel, especially in the song 'Power Hungry'. It's mainly filled with powerful rapid guitar, but Zombie's vocals add that subtle doom element to it.

One complaint some may have is the production. I personally have no issue with it, the rawness of it fits in perfectly with the music. It reminds me a lot of the recordings on early Slayer albums, raw yet powerful, fitting with the music. Some albums need a raw production to give the full effect.

If you enjoy classic thrash as well as Sabbath-esque doom metal, give this underrated gem a listen. A sadly forgotten album from one of the best groove metal bands. Hope you found this review helpful, feel free to comment!
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