By: Anders

Posted: Oct 7, 2005

Yet another band has emerged from the Tampa Bay, Florida metal scene, if Tampa Bay doesn't say you a thing, and you still think you are a worthy metal head, you better start catching up on your history, before the questions catch up with you. The band has gotten a lot of publicity around the release of this album, due to the man handling the vocals, it is none the less George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, who first got known for abusing the microphone in Monstrosity, and later for leaving the band, to take over vocal duties in Cannibal Corpse. Among the work he puts in that band, he found the time to lay down the vocals for this album, Paths Of Possession's Metal Blade debut album.

When thinking Tampa death metal, ones mind immediately thinks of Obituary, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse (even though they started out in Buffalo, NY) and the likes. A few bands who crafted the sound of the rest to follow, though this it not the game Paths Of Possession follows, they more or less have crafted their own niche, here with their second album. The base is heavy, with crushing riffs with a groove reminiscent of Obituary, the sound is thick and crushing which makes one think of Cannibal Corpse's slower and newer songs. Especially together with the vocals, it is not hard to hear who growls. There are many resemblances to the before mentioned band due to the vocals, even though Corpsegrinder stretches more out on this album and screams more, a bit like on the Monstrosity debut album "In Dark Purity". A good and powerful performance from him.

On top of the groovy riffs and technical breaks, we have quite a bit of melodies moving my thoughts to the Sweden, without the melodies here get too sweet and nice, they are kept nice and straight in your face, but still atmosphere invoking and are nicely balanced out with the hard hitting riffs. Some of the compositions are in a strange way reminding me of Dark Angel, in their terms of using the riffs, together with the rhythm section and the technical highlights which never gets too much, but still keeps it interesting.

The performances from the musicians are satisfying, the 2 guitarists knows their away around their axes and spew forth both good riffs and leads, and an okay solo or 2. The bassist is often a bit too hidden behind the wall of guitars, but when he can be heard, the lines are good and driving the music forward. The drumming is acceptable as well, often just driving the music forward, but the drummer does get to show his real skills once in a while. The album is recorded and produced together with Erik Rutan, and he has done a killer job, a heavy and crushing sound, the instruments are ranging from clear to muddy, but it ends up with a brutal and suiting sound.

This album ended out to be quite a surprise, as I found it rather boring the first couple of times I listened to it. Though now I find it really good and a good piece of mid-tempo death metal, with many good moments, good vocals and a nice technical level, without it is getting too much. Fans of death metal can easily pick this one up, here's enough to bang your head to.

Rating: 8/10

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