They're often accused of being the AC/DC of death metal - and, in a way, they are, but 'Be Warned' is a tentative step in a different direction. I like this album - a tad underrated on MS and the wider web.

Written by Dylan 1974 on 20.01.2023 at 11:07

They're often accused of being the AC/DC of death metal - and, in a way, they are, but 'Be Warned' is a tentative step in a different direction. I like this album - a tad underrated on MS and the wider web.

7.7 is not underrated.

Written by RaduP on 20.01.2023 at 12:52

7.7 is not underrated.

It is if you think it deserves 8.5

Written by Dylan 1974 on 20.01.2023 at 13:22

Written by RaduP on 20.01.2023 at 12:52

7.7 is not underrated.

It is if you think it deserves 8.5

I know I have less patience for modern OSDM albums than most people here, but even considering that I can't envisage how this could be an 8.5; that's the kind of tier Acts Of God and Necroceros are in as far as modern albums from classic DM bands. I relistened to Dying Of Everything in spite of my initial reaction to it, and after the first two songs, so much of this is just pedestrian mid-tempo trudging that most currently active retro-sounding death metal bands could come out with, and it's not really executed in any kind of interesting manner; the soloing is solid, granted, but not necessarily any more so than most DM bands accomplish these days. Dunno, obviously some people are really digging this record, but this feels like the kind of album that would make no waves if it didn't come with a famous band's logo on the cover.

Written by musclassia on 20.01.2023 at 14:28

I know I have less patience for modern OSDM albums than most people here, but even considering that I can't envisage how this could be an 8.5; that's the kind of tier Acts Of God and Necroceros are in as far as modern albums from classic DM bands. I relistened to Dying Of Everything in spite of my initial reaction to it, and after the first two songs, so much of this is just pedestrian mid-tempo trudging that most currently active retro-sounding death metal bands could come out with, and it's not really executed in any kind of interesting manner; the soloing is solid, granted, but not necessarily any more so than most DM bands accomplish these days. Dunno, obviously some people are really digging this record, but this feels like the kind of album that would make no waves if it didn't come with a famous band's logo on the cover.

To quote the dude, "that's just like, your opinion, man."

I appreciate what you're saying - and sometimes I would agree with you, but more often than not what I want is no nonsense, straight up old school death, executed well and so catchy it is embedded securely in my hippocampus after the first listen.

So much modern metal tries way too hard to be interesting and expansive, often descending into a terminal singularity of noodly tedium.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your opinion - and more often than not actually concur with your judgement, but on this occasion, I respectfully disagree.

Written by musclassia on 20.01.2023 at 14:28

I know I have less patience for modern OSDM albums than most people here, but even considering that I can't envisage how this could be an 8.5; that's the kind of tier Acts Of God and Necroceros are in as far as modern albums from classic DM bands. I relistened to Dying Of Everything in spite of my initial reaction to it, and after the first two songs, so much of this is just pedestrian mid-tempo trudging that most currently active retro-sounding death metal bands could come out with, and it's not really executed in any kind of interesting manner; the soloing is solid, granted, but not necessarily any more so than most DM bands accomplish these days. Dunno, obviously some people are really digging this record, but this feels like the kind of album that would make no waves if it didn't come with a famous band's logo on the cover.

I agree, I love the first few Obituary albums even, but this is pretty standard on all fronts, with a slight minus due to Tardy's tired vocals. It's not a bad listen, but it's definitely not that exciting.

I could see the counter argument in my taste for black metal re: Spectral Wound and (to a lesser extent) Mgła.

Written by Dylan 1974 on 20.01.2023 at 14:39


I appreciate what you're saying - and sometimes I would agree with you, but more often than not what I want is no nonsense, straight up old school death, executed well and so catchy it is embedded securely in my hippocampus after the first listen.

Yeah that's totally fair - I feel like my issue with this album is I don't really find it to be catchy at all, mainly for the reasons I said, but if it's ticking the boxes you've listed here then glad to hear it

Written by Boxcar Willy on 20.01.2023 at 15:19

I could see the counter argument in my taste for black metal re: Spectral Wound and (to a lesser extent) Mgla.

Respect for the Spectral Wound shout. 'A Diabolic Thirst' was easily my favourite black of 2021.

Written by Dylan 1974 on 20.01.2023 at 15:27

Respect for the Spectral Wound shout. 'A Diabolic Thirst' was easily my favourite black of 2021.

Mine as well, but objectively speaking it's also not a ground breaking album. Just another second wave style black metal album, aided by some catchy melodies and great production. I could just as easily see someone rating it a "6" just like I rated this album, if they're not particularly enthralled by the genre.

"Be Warned" is such a killer track though, could you imagine them writing an entire album like that?

Written by Boxcar Willy on 20.01.2023 at 15:34

Mine as well, but objectively speaking it's also not a ground breaking album. Just another second wave style black metal album, aided by some catchy melodies and great production. I could just as easily see someone rating it a "6" just like I rated this album, if they're not particularly enthralled by the genre.

"Be Warned" is such a killer track though, could you imagine them writing an entire album like that?

A full album? Maybe not. It would be the equivalent of putting my brain in a blender - which I do to myself every day just listening to my dumbass workmates. But, that's not something I would choose to do voluntarily...