Review by Adam on January 3, 2003.

Every time I say that melodic death metal has nothing else to offer, a band like Soulscar comes out and makes me eat those very words. It is not the fact that these guys are doing anything too different, because to be quite honestly, they are not. However, Soulscar do show a hell of a lot of style on their debut album ”Character Assassin” that can only serve well in their progression on future releases.

Soulscar consists of two full-fledged members, Andrew Staehling and Brent Mackenzie, with the others listed as supporting players. Staehling handles guitar, vocals, and keyboards while Mackenzie takes care of bass and extra vocals. They play fairly straightforward melodic metal. At times it strays away from the melodic death style to venture into more traditional metal territory, which was refreshing to hear. The only complaints I have here are with the vocals. They almost sound like whispered screams if there is such a thing. After all this time of listening to this CD, I still have not gotten fully used to them; therefore, I hope next time around they concentrate more on that aspect.

Without a doubt the standout track on “Character Assassin” is ‘Sacrifices.’ I suggest that Soulscar explore the clean vocals on this song a bit more in the future as they really add a whole new dynamic to their sound. The atmospheric guitar leads evident on the song would also be another interesting thing to see the group expand upon. Throughout the CD you notice little things like this. They even stick in the occasional Viking-inspired leads, which really stick out on “Character Assassin” and make it more interesting to listen to. Little things like this could really work to set Soulscar apart from their contemporaries if continued to expand upon.

If you are into melodic metal then I would suggest you keep a close eye on Soulscar. They have the uncanny ability to go from melodic to traditional to thrash and back again and still keep their style intact. This style, however, is still in the teenage stage and showing some growing pains yet that is only natural. These guys just may blow me away with their next disc if they choose to expand and concentrate on certain aspects listed above. Only time will tell!

Bottom Line: A modest introduction for the band. Give them a shot. I see good things for the future!

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 6
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by Adam on January 3, 2003.

Every time I say that melodic death metal has nothing else to offer, a band like Soulscar comes out and makes me eat those very words. It is not the fact that these guys are doing anything too different, because to be quite honestly, they are not. However, Soulscar do show a hell of a lot of style on their debut album ”Character Assassin” that can only serve well in their progression on future releases.

Soulscar consists of two full-fledged members, Andrew Staehling and Brent Mackenzie, with the others listed as supporting players. Staehling handles guitar, vocals, and keyboards while Mackenzie takes care of bass and extra vocals. They play fairly straightforward melodic metal. At times it strays away from the melodic death style to venture into more traditional metal territory, which was refreshing to hear. The only complaints I have here are with the vocals. They almost sound like whispered screams if there is such a thing. After all this time of listening to this CD, I still have not gotten fully used to them; therefore, I hope next time around they concentrate more on that aspect.

Without a doubt the standout track on “Character Assassin” is ‘Sacrifices.’ I suggest that Soulscar explore the clean vocals on this song a bit more in the future as they really add a whole new dynamic to their sound. The atmospheric guitar leads evident on the song would also be another interesting thing to see the group expand upon. Throughout the CD you notice little things like this. They even stick in the occasional Viking-inspired leads, which really stick out on “Character Assassin” and make it more interesting to listen to. Little things like this could really work to set Soulscar apart from their contemporaries if continued to expand upon.

If you are into melodic metal then I would suggest you keep a close eye on Soulscar. They have the uncanny ability to go from melodic to traditional to thrash and back again and still keep their style intact. This style, however, is still in the teenage stage and showing some growing pains yet that is only natural. These guys just may blow me away with their next disc if they choose to expand and concentrate on certain aspects listed above. Only time will tell!

Bottom Line: A modest introduction for the band. Give them a shot. I see good things for the future!

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 6
Overall: 6.5

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by chrisc7249 on January 8, 2023.

Deeds of Flesh… perhaps the apex band of brutal death metal; yes for as much as I love the numerous legendary albums from bands like Cryptopsy and Suffocation, it is Deeds of Flesh that remains atop the brutal death metal throne in my eyes. Sure, their early primitive stuff is a little one dimensional and merely average, and the later stuff is great, albeit leaning more towards technical death metal than brutal death metal… but, in 2003, Deeds of Flesh peaked by combining the primitiveness of the early years with the technique that was soon to come to create one ultimate 46 minute journey of technicality and brutality known as "Reduced to Ashes."

If you've ever wondered what Deicide sounded like if they continued to hammer down on the brutality and virtuous musicianship after "Legion," they would have probably ended up sounding something like this. "Reduced to Ashes" is stupidly heavy, brimming with intricate, evil riffs and boasts a disgusting atmosphere, backed by superb production and song structuring. This isn't your typical caveman br00tal death; Deeds of Flesh managed to craft a record that's extremely technically engaging, yet never loses its edge by being too flashy for its own good. EVERY single riff on this album has a purpose, whether it's to build to a devastating release waiting around the corner, or if it *is* that devastating release. There are no filler moments, no wasted stupid samples (the one to open the album sets the tone for what's to come perfectly) and absolutely no bullshit. You get what you pay for when it comes to this album.

These riffs… "Reduced to Ashes" has more good riffs in one song than most metal bands do throughout an entire album, sometimes even an entire career. There's actually so many good riffs on this album that it's impossible to comprehend them all as they just deliver blows to your skull with quality riff after quality riff, time and time again. There's no incessant pinch harmonics, the ones that are used are utilized perfectly and add so much more definition to the riff, bolding it out like highlighting something with… well, a highlighter. The production is impeccable - I wouldn't change a thing. Everything is mixed well, sounds great, has a fucking sick tone and the drums… oh man, the drums. I could have passionate, rough sex to the sound of that snare popping off any day of the week. Top it off with bellowing growls that may sound typical, but are necessary - they never try to be too flashy and add an extra layer of sinisterness to the overall record.

There's plenty to say about this album, but I like to keep my reviews short, so we'll boil it down to this; if you like metal… listen to this album. It is pouring at the seams with life, energy, and intensity. There's nothing quite like it out there, even if many bands have attempted time and time again to replicate it. Even if you don't like brutal death metal… I can guarantee you'll find plenty to enjoy about this album. Fucking. Sick.

Rating: 10 out of 10