Benediction: Subconscious Terror / The Grand Leveller [Double Reissue]

Over the last year, Metal Mind Productions has released several limited edition digipak reissues that include gold CDs. I've never really gone out of my way to collect limited edition stuff, but I have to say that these are really nice. Most of these reissues (and I'll be reviewing a dozen or so of them) come from classic extreme metal bands that were originally signed to Nuclear Blast. Each release comes with a booklet that includes photographs, lyrics, and liner notes. This release, however, has only a thin booklet that includes a web address where all the lyrics and other booklet content can be downloaded. Fans of Benediction will definitely want to consider picking up the whole set since nearly every Benediction release is included in this deluxe treatment.

Benediction is a classic death metal band that needs no introduction. Still, I've been going through these releases in order and am having a blast with them. Subconscious Terror, the band's first album, shows of its early blend of death metal with punk rock (especially in the drums). The band never quite goes all thrash, but it does enjoy its mosh-friendly drumming style. The songwriting isn't quite as mature as it will be on the band's later releases, but the overall impact of this debut album is solid. The production quality may turn some people off, but I think it sounds great. The underground nature of the music sounds great and fans will definitely enjoy the nostalgia of the old sound. These guys started out as an earnest and energetic underground band and these first two albums need another listen. Be sure to check out the bonus tracks on this reissue.

The second album featured here is The Grand Leveller. Musically, it's pretty similar to the band's debut with a slightly stronger sound and some hints of more complex songwriting. I really liked "Vision in the Shroud," "Child of Sin," "The Grand Leveller" and the two bonus tracks, "The Grotesque" and "Ashen Epitaph." Benediction is a terrific death metal band and these early albums established them as a classic band with tons of potential. For those who are late in discovering Benediction, this is a great introduction to a classic death metal band that created some solid music for a long time. Fans of the band will definitely want these reissues in their collection.

Track Listing:

Subconscious Terror
1. Intro—Portal to your Phobias
2. Subconscious Terror
3. Artefacted Irreligion
4. Grizzled Finale
5. Eternal Eclipse
6. Experimental Stage
7. Suspended Animation
8. Divine Ultimatum
9. Spit Forth the Dead
10. Confess all Goodness

Bonus Tracks:

11. Foetus Noose
12. Forged in Fire
13. Dark is the Season
14. Jumping at Shadows
15. Experimental Stage

Track Listing:

The Grand Leveller

1. Vision in the Shroud
2. Graveworm
3. Jumping at Shadows
4. Opulence of the Absolute
5. Child of Sin
6. Undirected Aggression
7. Born in a Fever
8. The Grand Leveller
9. Senile Dementia
10. Return to the Eve

Bonus Tracks:
11. The Grotesque
12. Ashen Epitaph

Added: February 17th 2016
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1882
Language: english

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