### Monstrosity: Millenium

#### 22/05/08 || Kampfar

Released: 1996

Introduction: Hello, my name is Monstrosity and countless lesser bands have been praised before me. The world is in truth A.I.D.S.

Songwriting: 8,5 Thought through but not overcooked, and close to never relying overly much on the (not always) good ‘ole blast. It’s a rollercoaster this, not a flamboyant one, mind you, but who needs fanfare and effects when the basics are as good as this? Sure, there are moments when they go through the death metal motion, hence the 1,5 missing points, just not very often so.

Production: 9. Scott Burns was, and will be till I perish, a death metal hero to me. Read him up on Wikipedia if you are curious and uneducated. All I care to say is that the job done sounds as outdated as the Concorde looks. Both out of service, both still a pinnacle of achievement in their respective areas.

Guitars: 8,5. It sounds sharp but holds a punch, much like a mafioso, lethal and sharp dressed as they often come. I’ve learned so from the movies. If you aren’t like immune to death metal (read: cumguzzling gay), most riffs, licks and solos should appeal to you, and if not, you still can’t fault the sheer enthusiasm and energy put into the effort by Jason Morgan, the ukulele player in persona.

Vocals: 9. Mr. Corpsegrinder is a very fine growler, was so in the past too, so good I boldly claim this to be his best performance ever. Take a listen to “Fragments of resolution” if you doubt my verdict (please bear in mind I have not paid any particular attention to Paths Of Possession).

Bass: 8. Kelly Conlon, nowadays found in The Fires of Babylon, will perhaps always be best remembered for his contribution on Death’s “Symbolic”, a classic for sure. But even though he is given less playroom here, he sure adds his touch, adding at least half a dimension. A mean feat this in a biz known for muting bassists the same way Pol-Pot did bespectacled people.

Drums: 8,5 Sturdy and powerful, never in the way of the music, at all times serving as a steady backbone, now that is a fine summary of Lee Harrison’s effort. He is not a drummer trying to be the fastest there is, nor the most technical, rather concentrating on enhancing the music. Mission accomplished. I am especially impressed by the blasts, as every hit is in your face and nailed with force.

Lyrics: 8. Mayhem, destruction, hate, suffering, in short, no cheers and happy stories here, but penned in good English they are, cohesive too.

Cover art: 1. I understand nothing of the acidic art at hand, not to forget it looks cheaper than child labor in Bangladesh. Hell, it alone tells a story of a label (Nuclear Blast, of course) caring fuckall about the release in question. You see, death metal was even less popular in the mid 90’s than it usually is.

Logo: 6. It is possible to read, but I don’t really give an orbiting fuck.

Booklet: 3. Frankly I do not remember much of it, but I have this gut feeling it was a rather cheap one. I place the blame on Nuclear Blast yet again.

Overall and end ranting: 8,5. “Millenium” still sounds as good as it did 12 years ago, so a classic it is.