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Rating:
8.7 |
Asphyx - Last One On Earth
October 1992
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)
09. Crush The Cenotaph [2006 re-issue bonus]
10. Rite Of Shades [2006 re-issue bonus]
11. The Krusher [2006 re-issue bonus]
12. Evocation [live] [2006 re-issue bonus]
13. Wasteland Of Terror [live] [2006 re-issue bonus]
14. The Sickening Dwell [demo version] [2006 re-issue bonus]
15. Conjuration Of Choronzon (Evocation) [demo version] [2006 re-issue bonus]
16. Diabolical Existence [demo version] [2006 re-issue bonus]
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.
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Performance:
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8 |
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Songwriting:
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8 |
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Originality:
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8 |
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Production:
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8 |
written by Nosurper | 17.03.2012 |
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
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Comments
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3
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Users visited:
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55 |
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Please excuse my excessive use of italics and bold in the last sentence  |
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| Love this bloody record! Good review. |
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 Oaken - 10.07.2012 at 02:13
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Crushing, raw and grating. Great review for such a destructive record!  |
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