For Six Feet Under's second and final album with
Allen West on guitar, the group fulfilled its potential, merging
Chris Barnes' Godzilla-like growl with
West's lumbering, snail-paced riffs. Though
Cannibal Corpse fans may still long for a more uptempo set of guitar riffs,
West's work really defines this album, making it an interesting variation of his other band,
Obituary. Of course, the simplicity of the riffs and their slow pace may just as well inspire criticism as it does celebration, given the fact that most death metal bands pride themselves on velocity. As expected,
Barnes puts in a dominating performance here, making this arguably the group's best 1990s album, depending on whether you prefer
West's guitar playing or that of his successor, ex-
Massacre guitarist
Steve Swanson, as featured on the band's other celebrated 1990s album,
Maximum Violence. ~ Jason Birchmeier