Band:	Asphyx
Album:	Last One On Earth
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	October 1992
Guest review by:	Nosurper

01. M.S. Bismarck
02. The Krusher
03. Serenade In Lead
04. Last One On Earth
05. The Incarnation Of Lust
06. Streams Of Ancient Wisdom
07. Food For The Ignorant
08. Asphyx (Forgotten War)

2006 Century Media Records Limited black disc collector's re-issue bonus tracks:
[Crush The Cenotaph EP]
09. Crush The Cenotaph
10. Rite Of Shades
11. The Krusher
12. Evocation [live]
13. Wasteland Of Terror [live]
[Asphyx '91 promo]
14. The Sickening Dwell [demo]
15. Conjuration Of Choronzon [(Evocation) demo version]
16. Diabolical Existence [demo]

Last One on Earth is a "krushing" release, simply put. That meaty Asphyx logo on the cover should be developed into one single iron brand; to be rightfully stamped onto the center of each and every death-doom metal release's jewel case (preferably stamped on by the pupil-less "last one on earth" himself). It would be an appropriate way to remind listeners of the origin of the definitive death-doom metal tone.

From early death "metallers" Pestilence, Martin van Drunen provides his own shrill, pained vocal contribution. The great thing is that the vocals are not overbearing and blend into the mix, making the cover art all the more palpable.

For the most part, the album trudges along, mid-tempo, but with conviction. The drummer, Bob Bagchus, lowers the boom on the snare drum with sledgehammer-like ferocity. And occasionally, the tempo will quicken towards death metal "common-pace".

This album's forte, however, is its guitar and bass tone. If ever you were looking for an album with an authoritative "crunch" of distortion, this is that album. There are not many leads to speak of, save one near the end of the title track that very well may have inspired the ethereal leads of Edge Of Sanity's Crimson. But that's about as unconventional as this album gets. Quite simply, Last One On Earth is death-doom done right.

This album is on the short side at around forty minutes, but highlights on the album include "M.S. Bismarck", which conveys the ferocity of the Bismarck class Nazi battleship. "The Krusher" and "Food for the Ignorant" are memorable; and the title track, "Last One on Earth", will have you in a death-doom trance, no question.

In case you can't see it, Jesus is hiding his eyes on the cross being adorned by "the pupil-less one".

No matter.

The degradation of humanity may not look pretty, but it sure does sound pretty awesome.