Album Review: Six Feet Under - Killing for Revenge
Reviewed by Drew McCarthy
Six Feet Under have always seemed to be a band that some people love, whilst some people love to hate, even after having released one great album after another. Their newest album, that is once again being released on Metal Blade Records, is also their first album in four years, Killing For Revenge is another great album.
Comparisons to death metal legends Cannibal Corpse have always seemed to of followed Six Feet Under, the predominant reason for this will obviously be due to the fact that Chris Barnes was the vocalist for Cannibal Corpse from 1993 until 1996, although while the vocals of current Cannibal Corpse vocalist, George “Corpsegrinder” are more guttural, the vocals of Chris Barnes are a lot more booming.
Album covers are something that I have always loved about death metal, the always brutal and depraved artwork perfectly encapsulating the theme of any album. The imagery of Killing For Revenge does this perfectly, depicting an absolutely savage scene of six decapitated heads in various stages of decomposition nailed to a wooden pole, along with a skull missing the crown and various tools spread out on a work bench. There are no prizes for guessing the unspeakable methods of torture they would have been used for and a crucifix dangling down may lead you to believe that this may of been the cruel work of a religiously motivated psychopath.
Evil Deeds and Hostility Against Mankind are the two songs that for me stand out the most on the album. Evil Deeds opens with a metaphorical kick to the gut as pummelling drums and chugging guitars give way to more grittier vocals than Six Feet Under fans may be used to hearing from Chris Barnes. Hostility Against Mankind however is a slower, almost sudge metal styled song. The punchy bass in particular on this song blends together incredibly well with the groove laden riffs.
While having never seemed to of reached the same dizzying heights of other death metal luminaries such as Dying Fetus and Suffocation, Six Feet Under have continued to forge their own path, regardless of what the naysayers may think about their music. If you are any particular type of discerning death metal fan, then you need this album in your life.
