Defleshed is called a death metal band by some, but really they are a new thrash band, with raspy death vocals. They cover a song by Destruction on the album, and I think they draw most of their influence from German thrash bands. The result is loose and fast thrash with blast beats thrown in here and there.

By no means did they break new metal ground on this album, but they did create something that is enjoyable as well as worthwhile to listen to, much in the same way that people found Brahms worthwhile, even though much of his music was classical/baroque worship, not romantic music.

This album is truly defleshed - there is no excess. There are no solos, and there is no chance of anyone thinking that a riff is going on too long because they don't dwell on anything.

Matt Modin's frenetic snare bashing is awesome, but the drums in general aren't meaty enough, and they don't blend well with the guitars and bass. So, they at times seem a bit disparate and unconnected.

Thorns of a Black Rose and Walking the Moons of Mars are my favorite tracks. Walking the Moons of Mars has an incredible ending with this sudden and disorienting time change.

Of course, most of the songs do not really distinguish themselves well, but the album is still a great listen if you just feel the need to hear some fast corpse ripping music.

© 1999 abasmagorsulpherion