Through the Eyes of the Dead

Disomus

BY Denise FalzonPublished Oct 10, 2017

5
During the mid-2000s, South Carolina outfit Through the Eyes of the Dead took the deathcore genre to new levels of ferocity and innovation. Their 2005 debut album, Bloodlust, was a powerful slab of brutal death metal featuring ample crushing breakdowns and slamming grooves. When the band delved into more melodic death metal territory on their next album, 2007's Malice, they received a ton of backlash (even though it was arguably some of their best material), which resulted in their "return to their roots" third LP, 2010's Skepsis.
 
Although it's been several long years since that album, not much has changed for TTEOTD's fourth full-length. Disomus picks up right where Skepsis left off, and while many fans will revel in its familiarity, it comes off rather stale. Tracks like "Hate the Living," "Obitual" and "Of Mortals, We Once Were" are commendable, containing a plethora of heavy, aggressive riffs and obliterating beats, but midway through the release, it gets tiresome and uninspired.
 
The dynamics and range of Danny Rodriguez's vocals are incredibly powerful, making them a highlight throughout Disomus. However, in terms of songwriting and composition, the result is a lacklustre rehash of their past material rather than a nod to their roots. The album seems like a lost opportunity; TTEOTD could have pushed the boundaries of their sound into this decade while still maintaining their deathcore identity.
(eOne)

Latest Coverage