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MetalBite Review by Alexi on 3/19/2005

The music of Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, and Obituary illustrate the fact that, historically, death metal was a genre with little crossover. The notable exception to this historical law was Death. Today, many bands are crossing over, fusing several different genres of music to create (you fill in the blank) death metal. However few bands have had the success Death enjoys in part because many musicians view the work of Chuck Schuldiner as untouchable. I used to think that no band would successfully re-create what Schuldiner did with Death. Recently, I listened to Epitaph, the newest Necrophagist record, and I had to re-evaluate my assumptions.

Epitaph is a great record for one important reason. All of the musicians are able to show their individual creativity, yet not clutter the music in the process. Turkish guitar prodigy Muhammed Suicmez’s performance on Epitaph is outstanding. Sucimez fuses several different styles of leads including those rooted in jazz and Middle Eastern music to create an inimitable lead style. Rhythm guitarist Christian Muenzner matches Sucimez note for note as they thunderously tear through anything in their way. Bassist Stefan Fimmers shows his dexterity as a musician, utilizing the slap-bass tricks of Primus’s Les Claypool and the nimble-fingered, upper-register bass lines of Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris. Drummer Hannes Grossmann acts as the glue of the band displaying exceptionally sharp polyrhythms, delivered with both precision and undeniable power.

My only criticism would be concerning the vocals. Sucimez, who also handles the vocals, relies too much on the cookie monster vocals, which take away from band’s originality. I feel by replacing Sucimez as the vocalist, Necrophagist would be on their way to musical domination of the death metal scene. None the less, Epitaph is a record any fan of death metal music would enjoy, especially if you enjoy the music of Death.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship:9
Atmosphere:7
Production:8
Originality:8
Overall:8

Rating: 8 out of 10

Submitted by AUZ on 12/23/2004

WOW! this album sets new standards for tech. death metal. solos on this album are not like typical death metal solos, this is no typical death metal band though.

the first song i heard by the mighty Necrophagist was "dimished to b" on XM radio. sitting there listening to that one song, i was hooked, already. the next song i heard was the phenominal "Only Ash Remains" wow, what a killer track, ripping bass solo to begin the song, then straight into a damn guitar solo, and like i said no ordinary solos on this cd. these are some very very skilled musicians.

the lyrics are not what you are probably thinking. very smart writing. this band is like Death respawned but faster and maybe even more technical, maybe.....this is not blasphemy that im speaking......just check this album out, its a grade A cd.

Submitted by olowek on 2/12/2005

zajebista plytka,tosz to sziok!

Submitted by CZORT69 on 2/20/2005

Epitaph is defenetely a gust of fresh air into stale death metal scene. Combination of death metal brutality, jazzy, progressive approach and solos that seem to last forever leaves me a little overwhelmed but stiil wanting more. Can't wait to hear their next one. Highly recommended to anyone that listens to metal!!!

Submitted by Chor on 7/10/2005

If Muhammed just stuck to the awesome guitars and found another singer,..passed on the singing / growling duties to the guy from Naglfar!!! wow this disc would own. But his vocals just blow, i cant hack too much of this. What a brilliant bunch of technicians though.

Submitted by david on 12/14/2005

Severely overrated. This does not stand up to the technical Death releases. We have a one dimensional guitar player who sweeps, and sweeps and after the first track just does it again and again.
Suffocation did this stuff 10 years ago and better and their recent release although not as insane as their previous efforts is still miles above this. Suffocation are the benchmark. No-one has ever come close.