Decapitated – Organic Hallucinosis / 2006 Earache / 7 Tracks / http://www.earache.com/bands/decapitated/navigation/biography.html / http://www.earache.com / Reviewed 03 February 2006

There is nothing in the ways of vocals needed for Decapitated’s opening track on “Organic Hallucinosis”, “A Poem About An Old Prison man”. What is needed and what is present on the track is speed metal, speed metal that finally throws some vocals into the mix a few minutes into the disc. There are more than hints of Sepultura and Pantera present in this band’s output, but the one big stumbling block that one can hear almost immediately has to be a little heavy reliance on repetition. Luckily, the band throws together some differing arrangements during the tracks on “Organic Hallucinosis” that maintain an adequate amount of freshness.

There is literally no space to breathe on this disc, as the band really tends to cram a whole array of sounds and styles into each track on the disc. This is not the type of metal that tries to garner listeners by finessing them, but straight-forward metal in the vain of Slayer and Cannibal Corpse. “Revelation of Existence (the trip) slows down slightly to really move into a Fear Factory vein; the smoother arrangements of the track will most likely mean that this will be the one tapped for radio. Still, this is nothing to scoff at as the double-bass drums come out in a major way and the vocals are never lacking in rage. The breakdown during “Revelation of Existence” almost moves into an atmospheric type of metal that would seem more fitting on Hydra Head, if it were not for the fact that this interlude is limited (to say the least).

With a scattershot that would impress even the most talented gunners, what occurs on “Organic Hallucinosis” is seven tracks essentially being a continuation of “A Poem About An Old Prison Man”. This cohesion is nice for those individuals that cannot get enough of Decapitated, but for the average fan one needs to tune into tracks like “Post(?)Organic” to really get anything in the way of differentiation. In this track, the speed metal that has dominated the disc gives way to a brand of thrash that will light up individuals, causing them to go full-bore into moshing mode. The band is very technically proficient, but there needs to be a greater sense of disparate influences coming through to further on what “Organic Hallucinosis” does. Give this disc a spin as an introduction to the band, and keep listening in the hopes that they build on this.

Top Tracks: Visual Delusion, Revelation of Existence

Rating: 5.8/10

[JMcQ]