Reviewed - 27.04.07
This 1993 solo release by legendary death metal guitarist James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Cancer, Testament and more) is a rather poignant album to review. As explained by the rather awesome liner notes by late 80’s thrash and Kerrang veteran Don Kaye, James Murphy suffered a harrowing ordeal around 1999 due to an undiagnosed brain tumour which led to him losing a home studio, his spot in Testament and ending up almost destitute, only to be rescued by his family. Only then was the tumour diagnosed and his alleged erratic behaviour explained.
Having also met and spoken with James when I was a young thrasher watching Obituary tour their timeless classic Cause of Death, and found him a very sweet guy, the only time I’ve ever seen a band member come out and walk the line of fans queuing and talking to anyone that was happy to say ‘hey’. So with all of this in mind I want nothing more than to say that Dreams is the best death metal album of all time and everyone should buy it. Unfortunately that wouldn’t by my personal truth.
Cutting to the quick, my problem with the album is that it tends to keep a rather workmanlike death metal sound and a samey vibe throughout. More specifically, Bryan Cegon’s vocals just don’t have enough variety or bite, again coming from the school of generic DM vocals. A style invented by Kam Lee of Massacre and again copied by the likes of Barney of Napalm Death, much as I respect Barney and Napalm, I’ve never been able to get past his vocals. This is a personal thing and I know this issue divides fans right down the middle. This is neither a slight on James backing band, who were all young at the time and whose musicianship is unquestionable. Unfortunately I still feel these hold Dreams back.
Things are much the same for the music. There is no shortage of riffs, heaviness, or variety in pace, but things rarely rise above the average. Riff after riff, constant double bass, all the death metal 101 moments are catered for but it’s strangely unmemorable. It it’s almost like too many riffs are being packed in, I find it hard to put my finger on it but I can listen to this on loop and find parts of it extremely enjoyable, such as the nice signature Murphy melody on Monarch of the Sleeping Marches, or the rolling doom of Soul Erosion, but as a whole, something seems missing. Murphy’s solos are as usual excellent and very reminiscent of his other work, this is no bad thing as his sound and style are unmistakable and outstanding.
If the reader is new to the early ‘90’s Death Metal sound I would recommend this as a primer in the field, especially this excellently packaged reissue, to be followed up by any and all of the other albums James Murphy has played on, but I wouldn’t place Dreams of the Carrion Kind higher than most of the other work blessed by his talents. Please check out www.msanthrope.com/jamesmurphy for James story.
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