Metal Storm logo
Death - Individual Thought Patterns review




Bandcamp music player
Reviewer:
9.2

1555 users:
8.79
Band: Death
Album: Individual Thought Patterns
Release date: June 1993


Disc I
01. Overactive Imagination
02. In Human Form
03. Jealousy
04. Trapped In A Corner
05. Nothing Is Everything
06. Mentally Blind
07. Individual Thought Patterns
08. Destiny
09. Out Of Touch
10. The Philosopher

Disc II [Live In Germany - April 13th, 1993] [Reissue bonus]
01. Leprosy
02. Suicide Machine
03. Living Monstrosity
04. Overactive Imagination
05. Flattening Of Emotions
06. Within The Mind
07. In Human Form
08. Lack Of Comprehension
09. Trapped In A Corner
10. Zombie Ritual
+ Individual Thought Patterns - Studio Outtake
    1 - The Exorcist

Disc III [Four Track Demos - Chuck & Gene - December 1992] [Reissue bonus]
01. Overactive Imagination
02. In Human Form
03. The Philosopher
04. Trapped In A Corner
05. Individual Thought Patterns
06. Jealousy
07. Nothing Is Everything
08. Destiny
09. Mentally Blind
10. Out Of Touch
+ Individual Thought Patterns - Chuck's Riff Tape - 1992
    1 - In Human Form
    2 - The Philosopher
    3 - Trapped in a Corner

Angry with all the crap evolving around Death (not being able to do the UK tour in the height of the Extravaganza tour of Europe due to financial irresponsibility of people "who did business in the band," then as a result a $14,000 debt, and just all those mendacious and greedy people in the music industry), Chuck teamed up with King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRoque, ex-Dark Angel drummer Gene Hoglan, and the fretless bass maestro Steve DiGiorgio (who also performed on the previous album Human) and recorded a masterpiece called Individual Thought Patterns.

The first thing to be said about ITP is that it's a very angry album dealing a lot with what I mentioned in the beginning, the music business, the press, and their screwed-upness. It's very to the point and in your face, with most songs being under or slightly over 4 minutes. So the songs go like this: here is what I have to say about you, retards, so f**k you and have a nice day. Songs like "Overactive Imagination" and "Mentally Blind" (talking about the press critics), "In Human Form" and "Trapped In A Corner" (about big shots in music business that rip you off your last penny as a musician), "Jealousy" (about people who will never reach the heights Chuck have, and all they do is talk crap about him), eponymous "Individual Thought Patterns" and "The Philosopher" (about lies and false theories that the society conforms to) are the responses Chuck gives to all the groundless accusations, backstabbing, and misrepresentation hailed at him for many years. So a very important thing about getting into this album is reading the lyrics.

As far as the music itself, it's very dark and of course heavy, but at the same time very fresh and technical in all respects. One can't say that the songs are super catchy, but all have some interesting melodies, rhythms, leads, and the typical Death elements. Some really somber and eerie-sounding solos can be found on "Trapped In A Corner" (the first one, played by Andy) and "In Human Form" (the second one, played by Chuck). One more lead worth mentioning is the second solo on "Overactive Imagination," which is played by Andy. For me personally, it is one of the best solos to come out of Death's forge. The vocals on this LP match the overall atmosphere of it: dark and intense. And speaking of it, I can't help mentioning Chuck screaming "Destiny!" on the self-titled song so fervently and deliriously that it just really grabs you by your guts. There are also some cool passages played by DiGiorgio, so put your headphones on and enjoy.

Drawing some conclusions, it's really hard to realize how a single record can hold so much aggression, anger, and defiance, and at the same time be melodic and progressive. Consequently, it really may take some time to let this album grow on you, and don't forget to read the lyrics, which are very significant in the light of the events that took place in the life of Chuck and Death prior to the release of this concept record.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 10
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 9

Written by K✞ulu | 22.07.2008




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.

Guest review by
Yanko
Rating:
7.0
There it is the fifth album of Death in six years. The band hasn't had an album the year before releasing this one and they didn't waste their time much, touring the world, being kept busy as hell throughout the whole time. It is explainable then, that this would be probably Death's weakest album. Not that it is a bad album. It is just that Death are so good, that this release is not one, which could go into one's collection of Death albums on the top shelf, it will go on the lowest one.

Read more ››
published 15.09.2003 | Comments (16)


Comments

Comments: 12   Visited by: 170 users
22.08.2008 - 21:15
Rating: 9
Elio
Red Nightmare
no comments for this great album?hell
a masterpiece indeed, and great review man
----
IntoPlighT said: "Slipknot is 15 years old how the fuck is that Nu metal?"

BEST. QUOTE. EVER.
Loading...
22.08.2008 - 22:47
Rating: 9
K✞ulu
Seeker of Truth
I was waiting for comments for so long... Thanks.
----
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow

R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner

Satan was a Backstreet Boy
Loading...
23.08.2008 - 18:53
Introspekrieg
Totemic Lust
Awesome review K?ulu! (I know it sucks when no one comments your reviews, I'm still waiting for a comment on my first) It's nice to get an insight into the background and inspiration of an album, thanks for being so informative.
"Trapped In A Corner" is definitely my favorite Death song...
Loading...
23.08.2008 - 19:05
Rating: 9
K✞ulu
Seeker of Truth
yeah, I was really waiting to get comments for this one. It's probably my favorite review so far. So Thanx!
----
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow

R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner

Satan was a Backstreet Boy
Loading...
23.08.2008 - 19:14
Rating: 9
Elio
Red Nightmare
Written by K✞ulu on 23.08.2008 at 19:05

yeah, I was really waiting to get comments for this one. It's probably my favorite review so far. So Thanx!


It is indeed a great review man.
WELL STOP PRAISING NOW, WE ARE OFF TOPIC!
----
IntoPlighT said: "Slipknot is 15 years old how the fuck is that Nu metal?"

BEST. QUOTE. EVER.
Loading...
23.08.2008 - 19:27
Rating: 9
K✞ulu
Seeker of Truth
Written by Elio on 23.08.2008 at 19:14

Written by K✞ulu on 23.08.2008 at 19:05

yeah, I was really waiting to get comments for this one. It's probably my favorite review so far. So Thanx!


It is indeed a great review man.
WELL STOP PRAISING NOW, WE ARE OFF TOPIC!

Shut up
----
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow

R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner

Satan was a Backstreet Boy
Loading...
03.11.2008 - 14:32
Rating: 10
Deadmeat
Necrobutcher
Nice review. Just in the point.. But the note should be 10.
----
Υou've sold your human essence to the cold world of dead and empty things... You're SOLD!
Loading...
03.11.2008 - 23:44
Rating: 9
K✞ulu
Seeker of Truth
Written by Deadmeat on 03.11.2008 at 14:32

Nice review. Just in the point.. But the note should be 10.

oh please... not very many albums deserve a 10. 9.2 means pretty much that it's almost perfect, with just a few little weak points, like a mediocre song or smth.
----
Savor what you feel and what you see
Things that may not seem important now
But may be tomorrow

R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner

Satan was a Backstreet Boy
Loading...
03.11.2008 - 23:55
Rating: 10
Deadmeat
Necrobutcher
Right man IMO this album has no weak point. At this stage of their career Death play just what I love to listen. And I find if awesome. I don't blame you I just tell my opinion. Right 10 may be wrong. But IMO it realy aproaches that note.
----
Υou've sold your human essence to the cold world of dead and empty things... You're SOLD!
Loading...
24.07.2009 - 19:07
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Great review, better that the other one who was from a guy who couldn't stop saying that Death was thrash.

Good to know about the lyrics, that was informative
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
Loading...
30.03.2010 - 13:48
Rating: 9
arj

Fucking great review. This album has really grown on me and I consider it to be their finest hour among MANY. Fuck Chuck created so much good stuff that even in his short lifetime he made a bigger impact on metal than most ever will.
Loading...
17.04.2010 - 19:48
soadbyob
Account deleted
Perfect. Amazing motherfuckin album!
Loading...

Hits total: 7283 | This month: 11