Rating: 7.3

Country: Poland

Release Date: 2004

Record Label: Earache

Track list:
1.The Fury [MP3]
2.Three-Dimensional Defect
3.Lying And Weak [MP3]
4.Sensual Sickness
5.The Calling (instrumental)
6.The Negation
7.Long-Desired Dementia
8.The Empty Throne
9.Lunatic Of God's Creation (Deicide Cover)

Total playing time: 32:50

Band Website: Decapitated

Decapitated - The Negation

Vitek - Drums
Vogg - Guitars
Sauron - Vocals
Martin - Bass

I wish I could like this more, as I really should, but unfortunately for Decapitated it's just barely not enough. I assumed this would be the musical leap forward the band needed to truly set themselves upon the pedestal of the “new” elite. And it almost does, but almost is a crucial word here. The large stride forward that was 'Nihility' thrust Decapitated from a novelty act (“hey these guys are ONLY sixteen!”) into a whole new light as one of the leaders in modern death metal. It was sharp, precise, and musically much more interesting and dominating. Mired only by the production which to these old school trained ears was all too mechanical and synthetic, however it STILL captured my interest and continues to satisfy my mind even after multiple listens and dissections.

However 'The Negation' is in fact, a disappointment. Not a worthless effort in the least-it's just not enough of a progression to truly win me over. Not that I'm a prog-nut either, just that when you try to compare 'Winds of Creation' (the young Polish outfits debut recording) to it's follow-up, you just can't. The differences are staggering and the superiority of 'Nihility' isn't subtle whatsoever. I half expected 'The Negation' to be the “be all end all” of the new crop of death metal. And it is better than the majority of the American scene, but that's also not saying much of anything as that scene has been struggling for quite some time to find more of an identity than “Sick!” and/or “Brutal!”.

It IS a strong record on it's own but just short of the goal it should and could have achieved. The production is better this time around in general do to a slightly more natural, less robotic drum sound. The guitar work is scalpel sharp, flawless and has a vibrant, lacerating sound. The bass while still buried does lay down a thicker more noticeable bottom end that 'Nihility' was nearly void of. The vocals are even more rabid and aggressive than before. Finally it seems that Sauron is comfortable with himself, and while many seem to think his vocals are the weak link in the band I would disagree. Picture Frank Mullen (Suffocation) without resorting to nearly doubling himself over to achieve ultra brutal, drill sergeant like, merciless vocals.

The riff/drum play off is beautiful at times and on the track "Sensual Sickness" they (Vogg and Vitek respectably) create a twisting, uneasy, almost disturbing atmosphere most bands wish they could come close to creating. And on "Three Dimensional Defect" Decapitated opts for a neck snapping, punishing way of abusing the listeners ear. The lead work is also more apparent now, as nearly every track has at least one solo that truly stands out as well crafted and finely honed. An excellent stand out Lead section belongs to the title track, a grooving, “head nod” rhythm riff accompanied by seemingly endless double bass, a good way to prepare the listener for the next track. Which even after multiple listens is still my favorite track, "Long Desired Dementia" is a rabid, unforgiving, thunderous, “18 Wheeler Stuck in Overdrive” juggernaut of unstoppable death metal power and rage. Although it ends all too quickly without a true climax it's still one of the groups most overpowering songs. It's brilliantly followed with a slower paced album closer in "The Empty Throne", a band comparison is on the tip of my brain, but Decapitated here and elsewhere on this (short) long player do a grand job of keeping me from doing just that. This of course leads one to believe Decapitated may be *gasp* “original”! An opinion that would be correct, and that is why they deserve to be where they are at in the spectrum of it all. Decapitated has quite the attention directed their way and it's because they deserve it, they aren't just talented but they have a keen ear for writing strong material. Of course the album doesn't really end there. As a special treat Decapitated covers one of my early death metal favorites Deicide's "Lunatic of God's Creation".

Now, back to my other, less enthusiastic feelings towards this release. As good as this is it should have been that much better, Decapitated let me down this time. Although each song on it's own is excellently executed and near flawless in design and composition, the overall feeling after the album is finished is that of “damn near forgettable”. Furthermore once the “instrumental” track and Deicide cover are removed, it's only 7 new titles and not even a half hour of them!

I had hoped for more, I wanted the farm and was only given the cows, one tractor and most of the barn…I wanted a rib eye steak and I was given a cheeseburger…I wanted 'Symbolic' and was given 'Spiritual Healing'. I wanted the next “HOLY SHIT THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!” and was given “it's really good”.

Better luck next time guys, I still love ya! I just love 'Nihility' more than 'The Negation'.

March 7th, 2005