ONCE DEAD - Visions Of Hell

http://teethofthedivine.com/site/reviews/once-dead-visions-of-hell/

Really Shawn, a new thread?

I'm gonna go read this review.

EDIT: Ok I read it. Very simple and to the point. Good job!

It's a review in the review section...perfectly legit.

Good, fair review.

Quote :

whet

Glad to see this word properly used and spelled!

http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/oncedead.htm#visions

I like this alot better than I expected.The vocals are similar to Lamb of God but He kinda changes it up enough to keep my interest.The snare drum that some have mentioned doesnt bother me at all.It reminds me of the "trappy" sound that VR had on Once Dead.The songwriting and guitar work really stand out and make this an enjoyable disc for me.Kudos to Glenn for the great riffs and lead work.

I'm hoping that the rumor of a proper remaster and some additional songs is true. :bangyerhead:

I hope a proper print job is done as well. Where did you hear this rumor?

ultmetal wrote:

I'm hoping that the rumor of a proper remaster and some additional songs is true. :bangyerhead:

sweet, that's the only thing that drags it down.

ultmetal wrote:

I'm hoping that the rumor of a proper remaster and some additional songs is true. :bangyerhead:

That does sound good.Is it a reliable source?

Unfortunately i have not listened to the cd much since i got it.

Well here's the review I did on it for a magazine I write for.

Once Dead – Visions of Hell
Open Grave Records
(2008)

Once Dead is the band put together by former Vengeance Rising members as a way of reforming, but due to legal constraints, they couldn’t use the name Vengeance Rising and opted for the bands 2nd album title as their new name.

This album has had almost 2 years in the making but was delayed in that fact due to member changes. I have been a fan of the 1st 2 Vengeance Rising albums since they were released back in the late 80’s so I was anxious to see what these former members could come up with.

The music on “Visions of Hell” is very good. There are a lot of great riffs courtesy of Mr. Glenn Rogers (also of Hirax) and Doug Theime. The riffs are heavy just like they were in the old days and even has a lot of catchy hooks that they were also known for. The bass supplied by Angelo Espino (ex-Reverend/ex-Hirax) really keeps the low end of the musical spectrum tight and punishing. Angelo is no slacker though! His playing has always stood out just as it does here.

When it comes to the drumming, the snare is complete garbage. Not sure what they were thinking when recording this, but it is unacceptable! It seriously sounds like a metal garbage can lid just as that on Metallica’s lame album “St Anger”. The beats and fills are damn good though and Jim Chaffin (Fasedown/The Crucified) hasn’t lost anything in all these years.

The vocalist also doesn’t fit either. Devin Shaeffer is the guy who I can blame for destroying this band and it’s legacy because I am NOT a fan of metal-core vocals whatsoever! I hate his other band Fasedown so I automatically knew I’d not like this aspect of the band just by that aspect. It is like he’s trying to be a tough guy but is either trying too hard or just has no control over his voice. I’m trying to figure out though why most of these metal-core type singers keep trying to imitate Phil Anselmo but yet fail at it..

If not for the vocalist and that snare drum being let down points, this album would be a classic. When you hear the songs like “Devotion”, “The Contract”, “Visions of Hell” and “Grave Diggers- The Forgotten Genocide”, the old Vengeance Rising feeling comes back in the music like it should have been on one of the 1st 2 albums.

All in all, its not bad, but its not great.

I agree 100%, especially the vocals. I could deal with the drums but the vocals killed the classic feel.

I listened to some tracks off of it, and my opinion is no different than Lurideath's or Troublezone's - Those vocals suck! Why didn't Scott sing on this album? Who honestly thought this guy was better?

thrasher73 wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

I'm hoping that the rumor of a proper remaster and some additional songs is true. :bangyerhead:

That does sound good.Is it a reliable source?

Yes. Doesn't mean it will actually happen though. As far as I know it was just being discussed.

I have no issues w/this lp, very good. Production? C'mon, this is thrash metal!

candlemass wrote:

I have no issues w/this lp, very good. Production? C'mon, this is thrash metal!

What thrash is supposed to sound like crap? I hate when people think thrash doesn't deserve a proper production.

Curious.

Has anyone listened to this more than a couple of times? I actually forgot about this album.

A couple is about all I gave it too.

I've listened to it quite a bit. It calls me back. That's when I know something appeals to me.

scottmitchell74 wrote:

I've listened to it quite a bit. It calls me back. That's when I know something appeals to me.

"Deep Fried Man" calls me back...

Troublezone wrote:

scottmitchell74 wrote:

I've listened to it quite a bit. It calls me back. That's when I know something appeals to me.

"Deep Fried Man" calls me back...

all the death metal and goregrind bands are shaking their heads and wondering how they missed this title.

I'm listening to the tracks on their myspace. When the singer came on I didn't think LoG, I thought Billy Milano.

SpectreFate wrote:

Curious.

Has anyone listened to this more than a couple of times? I actually forgot about this album.

Same here. I had no desire to listen to it after a few spins. I don't hate it or anything but it's not very memorable, especially after all the fuss that went into it and the long wait... Like i said in the beginning, the singer kinda kills the overall sound. I don't want to trade it or anything so i should try harder to look past the singer and focus on the music more.

Quote :

"Deep Fried Man" calls me back...

I swear that's how it sounds. Should have been the title!