Rise to Power

The fact that Lee Harrison's band does not record weak albums I probably did not mention before, so I will do it now, taking to rate "Rise To Power" - the fourth full-length album of this group. It's interesting that over the years Monstrosity has undergone a lot of line-up and - in a sense - stylistic changes (but without any drastic outbursts), and yet they managed to maintain consistency and the right feel in these turbulences. In terms of the line-up, "Rise..." surprisingly doesn't bring that many changes; in place of bassist Kelly Conlon, a more talented Michael Poggione appeared, and apart from him, the line-up expanded to the quintet, i.e. with an additional guitarist Sam Molina - which all of this is really very modest for them. Leaving this topic aside, the most important thing is that "Rise..." managed to contain a lot of very good music. Well!, better than last time.

Compared to "In Dark Purity", "Rise To Power" targets a distinctly different feeling, closer to Vital Remains or Morbid Angel than Cannibal Corpse. Fortunately, this is a good step, because the Americans filtered those influences into their own, which in practice came into more brutality, guitar style reminiscent of Trey Azagthoth's band and melodies (and in one song - acoustics) a la Tony Lazaro's group. So, the music has become more sophisticated and more diversified, and at the same time it's far from being imitative or too heavily influenced by other bands. There could be enjoyed slower tracks like "Wave Of Annihilation", "Chemical Reaction" and "The Exordium", much more brutal (though not less catchy) "Visions Of Violence", "From Wrath To Ruin", "Awaiting Armageddon" and "Abysmal Gods", and even an acoustic miniature ("The Fall Of Eden") associated with something like their own interpretation of Schuldiner's "Voice Of The Soul" and Dave Suzuki's talent. The only defect that appears in the context of "Rise To Power" concerns...the whammy ending of "Shadow Of Obliteration" lasting as much as 9 minutes! What exactly it was supposed to do (apart from earache) - I don't know; however, I am sure, that in this slightly shorter form, the album without such an outro would be even more impressive.

So you can see that "Rise To Power" is another very good cd in the discography of Monstrosity, which can hardly be considered bad. It's listened to with interest, it can boast of its not exaggerated, transparent sound, and the (new) line-up showed itself from an even better side than on the previous lp. It's a pity that there is not much more to say about "Rise To Power".

Originally on: https://subiektywnymetal.blogspot.com/2022/03/monstrosity-rise-to-power-2003.html

Four years after their successful "In Dark Purity," Monstrosity hit the books once again to write their fourth full-length. This time around, they have a whole new lineup. Keeping original member Lee Harrison and recruitee Jason Avery, they hired Tony Norman and Sam Molina (both of Terrorizer) to replace guitarist Jason Morgan.  They also got Michael Poggione (Capharnaum, Lecherous Nocturne) on board, replacing bassist Kelly Conlon. Despite all of the changes, Monstrosity kept their sound ferociously technical.

However, they lost the part of their music that kept up its vitality: the harmonization. Sure, this album still has some really good riffs and sequences, but there is nothing on here quite like what was on "In Dark Purity." With a new lineup comes a new style, but this is not to say that their new sound is bad. In fact, it's very reminiscent of "Millennium," so it's isn't an entirely new sound. Also, the technical stamina of this new lineup, while not as as good as their lineup in 1996, is still more proficient than their previous album.

This being said, the riffs on "Rise to Power" are full of fresh ideas and technicality. However, there isn't anything on here that is memorable in a good way. That is, after the first listen. After a few listens, tracks that start to stand out are the title track, "From Wrath to Ruin," and "A Casket for the Soul." These are memorable in particular because of their riffs. There are a few other great sequences on this album, but these three songs are my top three. However, after my first listen, the only things that stuck with me were the instrumental "The Fall of Eden," a first for Monstrosity, and the unnecessary outro to "Shadow of Obliteration."

Twelve minutes may seem like an intimidating length for a song, and that's because it is. Placing a song that long at the end of an album is quite risky, especially if the song is only four minutes of actual music and eight minutes of wailing, incoherent guitars. I mean, whose idea was it to place this song last on the album, let alone include this outrageous outro? At least make it last less than a minute instead of eight. Have you any decency? Other than the outro on the album leaving the listener with a terrible impression of this album, the rest of it is well done. Although it takes a few listens to actually get anything valuable from it, "Millennium" was like that too, and everyone (myself included) seems to love that album. Overall, I think that Norman and Molina give this band a good sound. Lineup changes are risky, but Monstrosity, despite having so many of these changes, seem to pull them off every time.

"Rise to Power" is yet another comeback album from this band that does not disappoint. It's fresh, fierce, technical, and those riffs get stuck in your head. The only problem I have with the album is the last track, but everything else is perfectly fine.

Overall Rating: 90%

Originally written for themetalvoid.wordpress.com

Rise to Power is the fourth Monstrosity album overall, the second and last with Jason Avery filling the vocal position, and it's also the most indistinct. Never a band on the edge of anything, they have long felt like some crossbreeding grounds for their Florida peers. Capable of the speed and precision of Morbid Angel's finer heights, the punch of a Deicide, and the carnal riffing of a Cannibal Corpse, they can turn tempos on a dime and each member contributes the necessarily level of required execution and proficiency. Whether you're in death metal for the grooves and breakdowns, or the fits of manic acceleration, this is a band with your back. Why then, with all of these things going for it, does Rise to Power fall behind their prior outings?

Well, it's pretty much your stock 'modern' death metal of the 21st century to date. Cognizant of its influences and the band's own legacy, energetic and thunderous, and without a single damned song worth remembering after the fact! If you turned down the speed dial on Hate Eternal's first few albums, and marginally weakened the riffs, it would probably sound a lot like this. In their defense, they were packing a pair of new guitar players since In Dark Purity: Tony Norman and Sam Molina, and despite this they do manage to create an aggressive, intense architecture through "The Exordium" and "Awaiting Armageddon". A few of the riffs feel mildly innovative, or putting to use more than just the band's speed and brutality, but I felt as if I were some party disinterested in gymnastics, forced to watch the acrobatic competitions at the Olympics. The guitars, as dynamic and terse as they appear, never manifest in patterns of revelation. This is fairly soulless death metal, with zero malignant undercurrent, and no amount of Lee Harrison's hammering skill or Jason Avery's monotonous, brutal drawl are able to rescue it.

It's a shame, honestly, because its fairly close to In Dark Purity in identity, but so far from the Corpsegrinder years in terms of an album you'll want to break out repeatedly. The production here is brick solid, and the instruments managed incredibly well, but there's not enough of the spastic indulgence of the modern California scene, or the strong songwriting out of Poland. In fact, Monstrosity's fourth album is just another pointer on how the mighty have fallen, how the Florida titans and their hangers-on had been diminishing in value for some time, unable to match the pinnacles of novelty and achievement that marked the late 80s and early 90s. Rise to Power is no slouch, and a few of the tunes provide 'in the moment' excitement, like "A Casket for the Soul" or "Abysmal Gods", but even these peter out into insignificance as solid riffs are backed by trackless filler, writhing grooves betrayed by vapid blast-offs. There's some variation to be had, but not much value.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Since monstrosity's 1999 release 'In Dark Purity' they sort of slacked off bit, not hearing any new material for 4 years but then they hit back hard with a ripper of an album 'Rise to Power'. For Monstrosity this truly is "a rise to power" as they tear into new territory with their masterful release.

'Rise to Power' kicks into some heavy hitting, but fairly common sort of death metal and maintains some good solos and some heavy guitars up until the 4th track 'The Fall of Eden' which gives the album a bit of melody. This funeral song is epic and powerful like that of Behemoth's 'Hell Dwells in Ice' which although isn't the metal style that we are used to from Monstrosity; it still gives the album a bit of edge. However shortly afterwards it starts into my personal favourite track 'Chemical Reaction'.

Another stand out track is that of 'From Wrath to Ruin' mixing brief solo's with brutal riffs. Monstrosity make one killer album that goes at the top of the death metal list. The professionalism displayed in what I would call one of the best 2003 releases and that is what makes Monstrosity a force to be reckoned with.

Yes, it is. This is truly a rise for Monstrosity, from a fairly generic Death Metal group to an almost Iconic modern Death Metal outfit all thanks to this monstrous (for lack of a more apt word) effort. Truly this is one of the most incredible and professional death metal albums that I've heard in a very long time. There is nothing on this album that would make me think otherwise.

Right from the start it Enthralls you, captivating, unique and very catchy (in a very morbid way ;) ) riffs will send you into an involuntary headbanging frenzy. "The Exordium" is a product of the unholy matrimony of insane drum patterns and intricate guitar riffs, not to mention the thick and crystal clear production. Let me just say that the production on this album is unrivalled in its richness and texture, every instrument is clear and orthogonal across the sound.

This is another album that proves that the Vocals are also a powerful instrument, in all the songs here the Vocals serve as an instrument that paints a very Sordid picture, potraying pain, anguish, anger and attitude. Especially in songs like "Wave of Annihilation" and "A Casket for the Soul" the listener can almost feel the emotions in his voice, it's what I'd call 'ear-candy'.

One other interesting thing to note here is the consistent use of Thrash elements, particularly in the riffing and the bass-lines. Which are reminiscent of the "Horrorscope" days of Overkill. Mind you they are used judiciously and are far from what one would call 'groove'. Apart from the outstanding riffing, the solo's are also killer (I did say that this was a Perfect Death Metal album) Tony Norman and Sam Molina have really put a lot of effort while writing them and they showcase the skills of these persevering guitarists.

The only thing that keeps me from giving them a higher score is the tremelo outro on the last song "Shadow Of Obliteration" which far too long and eventually gets on ones nerves, apart from that there is nothing that should stop you from getting this.

Having liked In Dark Purity, I decided to check out Rise To Power. And I was not disappointed. The first track The Exordium starts out with a typical Monstrosity riff, mid paced with fast picked notes and a good amount of groove. The song switches between relatively fast passages with some groove and all out blasting. At about 3:00, there is a really cool technical riff with which the song ends. Track 3, Wave Of Annihilation, is one of the highlights of the CD. The song begins with a cool slower paced death metal grove riff to which the vocals soon join in. It is very catchy but still heavy as fuck. The song focuses on groove more than speed, and it is also progressive and has lots of riffs. Track 4, The Fall Of Eden is an atmospheric, eerie sounding instrumental, in the vein of Death’s Cosmic Sea, and essentially serves as a lengthy introduction to track 5, Chemical Reaction, a mid paced death metal thrasher very typical of Monstrosity. Track 6, A Casket For The Soul, is an overall fast, aggressive tune, whereas the next track Rise To Power is again more of a groove oriented slower tune. Track 8, Visions Of Violence, is for the most part a full speed ahead blasting death metal song, but they throw in really cool tech riffs in between the mayhem. Damn, these guys can play! Essentially, the CD offers a nice mixture of slower, groove oriented songs and fast, aggressive songs, with some songs incorporating both slower passages and full speed ahead blasting. I personally think that the band do both very well. There is definitely a good amount of thrash influence in the music on this CD, and those of you familiar with the band will know that there is on their other CDs as well. For those that aren’t familiar with the band, their overall sound can be described as thrashy old school death metal along the lines of Malevolent Creation. Though they essentially play old school Florida style death metal, they certainly do not sound dated. They adapt very well to the times, and the production on this CD is killer, fitting with the music very well. It is very crisp and clear, and you can hear every note that is played - the blast beats never drown out the guitars (man, I hate it when that happens). Overall, it is a very solid CD. It is definitely a good purchase for any death metal fan looking for some new straightforward death metal to listen to.