CoC : Ritual Carnage - The Birth of Tragedy : Review

Ritual Carnage - _The Birth of Tragedy_
(Osmose, 2002)
by: Alvin Wee (7.5 out of 10)

This slab of thrashing madness merits an 8/10 or higher but for the somewhat annoying post-classic Slayer style of shouted vocals. Guitarist Wataru Yamada is more satisfyingly accompanied vocally on his new King's Evil album [CoC #58], and I probably won't be alone in making that comparison. This minor gripe aside, _The Birth of Tragedy_ stands together with the previous two albums as perhaps the best old-school speed/thrash issuing from the States. Needless to say, originality isn't a trait most highly prized in these circles, and as usual, this Japamerican combo rip more than a few pages out of Slayer's metal gospel on their way to perdition. Face-ripping hooks jump out and tear at unsuspecting listeners (see "Fall of Empire" or "Grave New World") in an entirely unprecedented way, a testament of the band's hard work between albums. The up-front production certainly does nothing to soften the impact of this sledgehammer, and while, in my opinion, the material never quite attains the raw charm or terrifying blackness of _The Highest Law_, this power trio pack enough punch to send countless other retro-clones fleeing for cover. Repeated listens pay off, and dedicated listeners will find this compact piece of mayhem yielding far more satisfaction than expected on first listen. Overall a killer piece of work once again, and a great companion to the equally -- if not more -- killer King's Evil album if you can find it.

(article published 1/9/2002)

CHATS
2/13/1999	D Rocher	Ritual Carnage: The Great Eastern Trendkill

ALBUMS
5/25/2000	D Rocher	8	Ritual Carnage - Every Nerve Alive
1/16/1999	P Schwarz	3	Ritual Carnage - The Highest Law