CoC : Vital Remains - Dawn of the Apocalypse : Review

Vital Remains - _Dawn of the Apocalypse_
(Osmose, 1999)
by: Aaron McKay (10 out of 10)

No question about it! One of the -finest- releases of this year, and quite possibly of the last decade. Vital Remains has perfected a sound all their own, as I hear it, emphasizing and molding only the finest points from Malevolent Creation, Morbid Angel, Vader, and Incantation, and even a smidgen of Sinister, I do believe. Citing these groups can only provide you with a ball-park idea of what VR has set forth on this completely and utterly paralyzing effort. _Dawn of the Apocalypse_ has something for everyone, as I think Joe Lewis communicated so very well in our interview in CoC #44. As powerful as _DotA_ is, I could not help but listen in awe at the total supreme beauty the album yielded forth. As I write this review, my only concern is that I may fail in conveying the refinement-laden inhumanity set forth on this newest Vital Remains effort. To be honest, I wouldn't hesitate to issue an eleven out of ten in its favor for many reasons, not the least of which is their original emotion invoking passages forced together with completely blinding ferocity like the unstoppable force meeting the unmovable object. Allow me to tell you this: for the most part, title tracks do little to peak my interest, but VR put theirs as track three and words fail me; I can't say enough about this song. Perfect in every regard! Also, let the uncompromisingly heavy riffs of "Sanctity in Blasphemous Ruin" devastate your existence. All told, this nine-track, near hour incursion is, as I see it, an absolute -must- for any fan of _Forever Underground_ [CoC #20]. This release is sure to impress. Now the only trick will be to see how my boys in Vital Remains attempt to out-do this release -next time- around.

(article published 15/1/2000)

CHATS
9/12/1999	A McKay	Vital Remains: A Vital Conversation

ALBUMS
1/5/2007	J Smit	7	Vital Remains - Icons of Evil
27/5/2003	J Smit	9	Vital Remains - Dechristianize
13/5/1997	S Hoeltzel	8	Vital Remains - Forever Underground

GIGS
12/8/2000	P Schwarz	Vader / Vital Remains / Fleshcrawl / Rebaelliun	Invadering From Across the Seas
16/10/1997	P Schwarz	Malevolent Creation / Vital Remains / Infernal Majesty / Vader	Something Old, Something New, and All Things Death Metal
14/9/1997	S Hoeltzel	Vital Remains / Incantation / Ember	Vital Remains - Unplugged