The Apparatus - Pestilence

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Pestilence - Spheres

Saturday, 15 December 2007

Editor's rating

8.0

out of 10

Reviewed by:
Chad Coup
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Saturday, 15 December 2007
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Track Listing:
01. Mind Reflections
02. Multiple Beings
03. Level Of Perception
04. Aurian Eyes
05. Soul Search
06. Personal Energy
07. Voices From Within
08. Spheres
09. Changing Perspectives
10. Phileas
11. Demise Of Time

Artist: Pestilence
Title: Spheres
Genre: Jazz Fusion • Death Metal
Release Date: 04 May 1993
Record Label: Roadrunner Records
Format: Full-length
Country: Netherlands
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Re-released by Polish label Metal Mind Productions on August 20, 2007 with original artwork and bonus tracks. Limited to 2000 numerated copies. Digipack.

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Editor review

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Overall rating (weighted)		8.0
Musicianship		8.0
Composition		8.0
Experimentation		8.0
Production		7.0
Value		9.0

One of the original death metal bands of the 80s, Dutch act Pestilence already had three well-respected albums under its belt before this album came out. Their "Consuming Impulse" album was one of the genre's biggest hits, critically and commercially, of '89. Their follow-up, "Testimony Of The Ancients," was a more fleshed-out, expanded vision. Then, the end came. 'Spheres' was a radical step in another direction. They lost many fans. The critics blasted them. They soon broke up after this album was released. What is left behind? Is this album really as bad as they say?

The first four tracks are pretty solid, if a bit standard. The flutters of guitar synth are very much present on this album. No doubt this sent FL death metal fans into convulsions. The riffs are solid and technical enough, but the mini-leads and solos on this album make it a bit easier to pay attention to. They're melodic, clean and expressive. Vocals, on the other hand, are typical of the genre of the time; throaty, raspy yells are aplenty.

Many sources plug this as being a jazz fusion record, much like Atheist and Cynic's late output. I can't say that it's as developed or successful as those bands, but they do try. I wouldn't go as far as calling it jazzy death, but more experimental-sounding death. The synth and solos lend themselves to that direction. The track "Personal Energy" is more illustrative of their new direction. It's a song that has so much melody and texture; it's also a perfect fit for the rest of the album. It's not "metal" or any of that, but rather an interesting mid-point that bridges two distinct styles of death metal that were going on at once. It gives another dimension to the genre. I would recommend buying or at least listening to this album solely for this track (and subsequent remainder of the album). The title track also features some absolutely stunning composition choices with clean guitar and ambient tinges. There are also a few minute-long ambient tracks, similar to Atheist's "Fractal Point" track on 'Elements.'

This is nowhere near as bad as originally received, 'Spheres' is a very solid addition to the progressive death metal movement of the early 90s. It does deserve to be placed among the albums of Cynic and Atheist, but on a different level. I applaud the band for trying something new and giving fans another album to check out if they want something a bit more for their death metal collection. Traditional death metal fans will hate this. Prog and jazz fans will probably dig it. As of August 20 of 2007, a Polish label has re-released and re-mastered this album and gave it the deluxe treatment. Get it while it lasts!

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