[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY36MSQnrOk[/youtube]

Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. 23 years ago today, a band full of ex-Death members came together to bring Massacre’s debut album From Beyond.

This entire album consists of ex-Death members that Chuck kicked out of the band. Vocalist, and original Death drummer Kam Lee, founding Death guitarist Rick Rozz who performed on Leprosy, and Terry Butler and Bill Andrews round out the rhythm section on bass and drums respectively, after they had just been fired from Death after the Spiritual Healing tour mess. I’ve always liked Andrews’ drum sound in Death, and I enjoy it here too. Kam Lee has a really aggressive, dark approach to the vocals, which fits the style of the album, but at the same time, while his deep, dark range is awesome, he doesn’t often sound passionate singing on the album. A lot of the riffs on this album, such as on the track “Cryptic Realms” are just awesome.

Kam Lee and Rick Rozz are no Chuck Schuldiner. To me, this album sounds like a watered down spiritual sequel to Leprosy. Most of all, I hate the guitar tone on the album. It sounds so fuzzy, and unclear to me. Flat is the only other way I can describe it. It’s a good album for what it is, for sure, but it just really makes me want to go listen to Leprosy and Spiritual Healing again, rather than making me interested in the band. The first riff or two, along with how the verse is being sung on the track “Biohazard” also reminds me a lot of “Angel of Death” by Slayer. Not sure if I’m the only one who feels that way, though.

Favorite Tracks: “Cryptic Realms,” “Dawn of Eternity,” “Defeat Remains.”

Basically, if you want to hear what early Death would sound like without Chuck Schuldiner at the helm, give this album a listen. I think it’s solid, however, unspectacular. If you like the first few Death albums, you might find a lot that’s really cool about this album. While I thought it was interesting to listen to, it’s not an album that I plan on listening to again. I’ll stick to Spiritual Healing and Leprosy.