Rating: 8.8

Country: Malta

Release Date: 2002

Record Label: Mighty Music

Track list:
1. Broken Thoughts Of Righteousness
2. Horde Of The Stolen Sun
3. Recounts Of Disembodiment [MP3]
4. Consecrated Absurdities
5. Compelling Derangement
6. Inherited Plague
7. Fed Upon Odium
8. Disdain
9. Spreading Contagion
10. Unbound

Total playing time: 42:27

Band Website: Beheaded

Beheaded - Recounts Of Disembodiment


Omar Grech - Guitar
Lawrence Joyce - Vocals
David Bugeja - Guitar
David "Cejca" Cachia - Bass
Chris Brincat - Drums

If death metal were to be a school, there would be teachers, principals, crazy janitors and of course various types of students. Jocks, preps, weirdoes, greasers, nerds, band geeks, foreign exchange students, transfer students and of course-bullies. Many, many bullies. Beheaded is a bully. Beheaded would steal your lunch money, punch you in the gut and then give you a wedgie. He wouldn't steal your girlfriend (because she's not hot enough) but he probably would hit on her at least twice a day just to upset you and let you know how pathetic you really are. Beheaded wouldn't just beat you up once and laugh at your misfortunes, oh no! Beheaded would make sure at last once a day-everyday you knew who was boss and who ate 4 lunches a day-all of which you paid for. Beheaded would probably break at least one bone before all was said in done, after all you're lucky, Beheaded could easily rip your skull out through your mouth, but it chooses not to. Beheaded is a big, burly, mean spirited brick wall of rage-but that bastard sure does have his charm!

But don't be fooled by the outer appearance. Deep inside is a complicated, intelligent beast-it's not trapped by the confines of “brutality” that is the meat on the bones, the steroids in the blood stream, the blood lust instead of mere hunger! Unlike most bands in the “beyond brutal” sub-genre of death metal, Beheaded has the strong ability of writing downright good music. More than just a slamming and blasting excursion into obscurity, Beheaded is a more cerebral force to wrestle with.

Beginning in the mid 90's Beheaded started with a more melodic and atmospheric approach, soon enough the band collectively came to terms with the true monster that lied within, first unleashing it with their excellent MCD 2000's 'Resurgence of Oblivion'. Inspired greatly by Suffocation but easily surpassing all of those “clones” floating about aimlessly, Beheaded might be the best “brutal” band one could possibly ever be. All of the elements that make a great band are here. A strong personal identity, massive hooks, passion for the music and an attitude of “the sky is NOT the limit”. Speaking of massive-that might just the buzz word for this band. The production on this is like a brick wall smashing down upon your skull with full velocity. Nothing less than a barrage of damned heavy DEATH, by god METAL! Plenty of bone snapping, cranium crushing riffs matched by unrelenting pulverizing jackhammer drumming-all melted together with gargantuan vocals.

I'm sure while other bands share those same characteristics you won't find hardly any of them doing it better than Beheaded are doing it here. Every song on here works and there are even some very high quality stand out tunes: "Disdain", "Fed Upon Odium", "Compelling Derangement" - all excellently written songs-with hard hitting hooks-and even some melodic (!?!?!) solo work to spice up already tasty dishes. 10 tracks (track 9 is an intro to closer “Unbound”) and 42 minutes of top class, “league of their own” brutality.

Very highly recommended to anyone who likes their death metal big, bad and brutal as FUCK, yet refreshing and rewarding!

March 7th, 2005