DECEASED — Surreal Overdose (review)

DECEASED — Surreal Overdose album cover Album · 2011 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Surreal Overdose" is the seventh full-length studio album by US metal act Deceased. The album was released through Shrieks From The Hearse in April 2011. It´s the successor to "As the Weird Travel On" from 2005 and features a couple of lineup changes since the predecessor as guitarist Mark Adams has left and has been replaced by Shane Fuegel. Drummer Dave Castillo has left too and lead vocalist King Fowley has therefore returned to the drum stool while still performing lead vocals. Completing the quartet lineup are bassist Les Snyder and guitarist Mike Smith, who also remain from the lineup who recorded the predecessor.

Lineup changes or not you´ll be treated to the unmistakable sound of Deceased from the opening notes of "Skin Crawling Progress" to the closing notes of "Dying in Analog". 6 years down the line from "As the Weird Travel On (2005)" and very little seems to have changed. In the horror/gore themed world of Deceased that´s predominantly a good thing though. The lyrics are still well written and intriguing horror/gore stories and Fowley delivers the words with great commanding authority and well articulated storytelling skills. He has a raw and powerful voice, but every word is fully intelligible. The instrumental part of the music is a hybrid of old school thrash, speed, traditional heavy metal (the music features loads of harmonies and leads), and when the music is most brutal and heavy a couple of death metal traits. This could well have been released in the late 1980s, but the sound production is on a higher technical level than what was produced in the 80s. In fact the sound production is very powerful and detailed, and suits the material perfectly.

"Surreal Overdose" proves once again what a unique act Deceased are. The elements may have been heard before, but it´s the combination of the tried and true musical elements which is the reason for their success. The musical performances are also on a high level from all involved, and although Fowley is a slightly one-dimensional singer, the above mentioned storrytelling skills and commanding delivery still provide the vocal part of the music with something special. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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