Cannibal Corpse - A Skeletal Domain

(CD Album Review)

*****
Cannibal Corpse set the bar even higher on album number thirteen!

In terms of extremity for this writer the standard bearer's have always been Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death both bands just seem to understand heavy music in a way that leads them to taking music in places no one else does. It seems when everyone else has caught up with them or even looking to take over them both bands seem to drop an album that puts them back at the top and it's up to the rest of the world's bands to keep up again. It's said and I too am guilty of it, that Cannibal Corpse much like Slayer doesn’t evolve. They do what they do and that's it but I think that is really unfair to say.

If you listen to Cannibal Corpse's debut album 'Eaten back to Life' then this beast of an album back to back you can't say musical evolution hasn't taken place. Yes line up changes come into it but still! It still stands though that yes Cannibal Corpses mission hasn't changed they have always aimed to put out the heaviest album they can at the time of recording. They have never put out a complete stinker, some albums are better then other's they haven't consistently out done the previous album. But each album has always had a handful of songs that ranked among their best and every so often they would release an album that would raise the bar and it would look like they would never beat it. No one ever thought they would make a better album then 'Tomb of the Mutilated' or 'The Bleeding' or another album with George better then 'Vile' then the band released 'Bloodthirst' and set a new standard.

Then in 2006 the band released 'Kill' and to this day that has been the album that couldn't be beat. 'Evisceration Plague' and 'Torture' both have been far from wet lettuces but didn't quite reach the height’s of that classic album well now we have it. On 'A Skeletal Domain' Cannibal Corpse have set a new standard, outdone themselves again and released a new landmark. 'A Skeletal Domain' like 'Kill' simply hits the nail on the head or in Cannibal Corpse's case smashes the face. It has the perfect balance of ferociousness, technicality and atmosphere. Just listen to the catastrophic opener 'High velocity impact Spatter' it's the perfect Cannibal Corpse song.

The way they bounce back and forth in between time signatures is amazing. I felt Paul Mazurkiewicz had taken the less is more approach on the last couple of albums, not that there is anything wrong with that Paul on auto pilot is still way ahead of the pack and lets face it what does he have to prove? But here he is on fire! All through the album he is all over the kit. 'Funeral Cremation' sounds epic and I mean just that! It starts with feedback and when it kicks in it’s like a volcano erupting it’s excellent. 'Kill or Become' is set to be a live favorite and the title track display new depths in extremity with blastbeats one second and leading into a slow doom laden section leading to an immense solo.

All in all they have done it again. Every member is on top form with their instrument and the song writing is on impeccable form. Cannibal Corpse are more popular now then they have ever been and this album should catapult them into the Metal mainstream, I’m talking main stage at Download mainstream. The music is extreme but the quality is up there with the greats of not just metal but Rock. If you’re a fan this is essential for your collection and if your new to the band this is as good a place to start as any.