It is a very special thing to follow a band avidly for years and to finally bear witness to the actualization of the style, sound, and meaning they strived for in earlier works. Immolation have accomplished this exactly with their latest offering. If ever there was an album that epitomized the band's sound, "Close to a World Below" is it. The most exciting part of it, however, is the fact that this album adds yet another dimension to their already infernal sound. Some complained that Immolation's previous release, "Failures for Gods" had awkward production that detracted from the overall sound, but this time the recording is even-handed and easily the heaviest sounding of all their albums. Bob Vigna's guitar work is more chaotic and stunning than ever before, featuring some of the most bizarre discordant harmonies to be found in a death metal recording. Ross Dolan's vocals have finally given way to a fiery, angrier delivery while still retaining the measured brooding he featured in the past, and drummer Alex Hernandez proves he is a now indelible part of the line up by injecting his own signature style into the fray. There are actually blast beats to be heard, which is an Immolation first! The final product is nothing short of amazing. Not since "Legion" have I been so astonished on a first listen. The best thing about "Close to a World Below" is that it is not only an album that could easily indoctrinate a whole new legion of fans rather that merely appealing to the devotees, but in a period when seminal death metal acts like Decide and Morbid Angel have released embarassingly bloated efforts Immolation remind us what this music is about- chaos, brutality, and evil. For the darkest and most crushing release of the year, look no further. This is perfection.

© 2000 w.s. diabolus