Death - Leprosy (reissue)

(CD Album Review)

*****
A Death Metal classic gets a makeover!

The latest in the series of Death reissue's from Relapse Records carries on in the tradition of what came before them. You have the standard two disc edition and the limited three disc edition. While most come with rehearsal and demo tracks the real treat for me was when the reissue's came with live tracks. In this case we gets both. The album of course on the first disc, then disc second features rehearsal's while the limited third disc features a full live set from 1988 plus four extra live tracks from the same year. We'll get on to the album first and then the extras later.

Leprosy as we all know is one the essential Death Metal albums. Read any list anyone puts together of the "greatest Death Metal" or whatever 'Leprosy' is normally in the top five. What's special about 'Leprosy' is that is was (arguably) the album that put Death Metal on the map. the elements were in place obviously Death Metal was well under way in the underground and bands already had albums out but 'Leprosy' was the first Death Metal album with a big release, Professional artwork, big production, full press campaign etc.

It was for many the album that brought Death Metal to the masses and the breakthrough so to speak. The album sounds as great today as ever. From the opening chords of the opening title track, when it opens with those slow Doom ridden chords then kicking into that riff with Chuck howling over the top, it's f**king brilliant! The main riff to this day sounds awesome, it's so...evil! leading straight to 'Born Dead' which opens with some of my favorite shredding ever. From the brilliant 'Left to Die' to the classic 'Pull the Plug'. 'Leprosy' is one of those albums where everything comes together. he line up is on fire. Each track flows into the next with each having their place and compliment each other beautifully. It's just under fourty minutes of pure brutality with the melody and structure of the classic Heavy Metal that proceeded it.

The new package is beautifully presented with the front artwork having a 3D effect. You have sketches of the artwork template, there are liner notes and it's packed with photo's. The rehearsal tracks sound great, they are raw and energetic, what I love about hearing rehearsal tracks and demo's is that you hear the song in it's early stages and it gives you a better understanding of the song. The real treat is the live recording though. With Death no longer here live recordings are like gold dust. The live set on here sounds great and to those who this is their favorite era of the band it's essential.

Overall with reissue's there are two questions if I don't have the album is this edition the one to get? which this time around is yes! and the more important, If I already have the album is it worth buying again? and the answer is absolutely yes! Essential in every sense of the word!