Death released their seventh and final album, “The Sound of Perseverance”, on September 15, 1998 via Nuclear Blast. AllMusic gave it 4.5/5 stars, calling it “the most glorious hour of Death and one of the best metal albums of all time” — the swan song of the late Chuck Schuldiner.
Country: USA
Genre: Technical/Progressive Death Metal
For fans of: Death (Symbolic), Control Denied, Atheist
The listen
The frenzy and emotion running through every intricate, progressive guitar melody crush any low opinion of the American metal scene. The new members Shannon Hamm (guitar), Scott Clendenin (bass) and Richard Christy (drums) complete the strongest — if lesser-known — lineup the band ever had. “The Sound of Perseverance” is the most accessible album in their discography, with melodies, hooks and inspired passages in every track.
“Scavenger of Human Sorrow” opens with one of the most violent outbursts, “Spirit Crusher” is one of the band’s most recognizable tracks, while “Flesh and the Power It Holds” shows their more complex side. “Voice of the Soul” stands out as the only instrumental with clean, sensitive guitars and no drums — a breathtaking gem. “To Forgive Is to Suffer” is one of the record’s heaviest attacks, with the voice/drums duo breaking bones.
The album closes with the cover of Judas Priest’s “Painkiller,” where Schuldiner attempts a high, Halford-esque growl and sings with a clean voice for the first time. Death excelled at combining progressive and technical death metal without ever sounding pompous — a landmark record that musicians and fans will keep studying for decades.
Tracklist
1. Scavenger of Human Sorrow
2. Bite the Pain
3. Spirit Crusher
4. Story to Tell
5. Flesh and the Power It Holds
6. Voice of the Soul
7. To Forgive Is to Suffer
8. A Moment of Clarity
9. Painkiller (Judas Priest cover)
See also
Gene Hoglan – The truth about “Death By Metal” · Death To All – Why there will never be new material
