In Dark Purity

Supposedly the best Monstrosity, but are you sure? Doubts about such a thesis are already raised by the cover, which effectively repels with kitschy 3D graphics (very characteristic for the end of the 20th century), although what is even more important, similar uncertainty is aroused by the music itself, in advance: still very good, but without major transformations or the alleged breakthrough. When the Americans were recording "In Dark Purity", Jason Morgan and Corpsegrinder left the band, and they were replaced by Tony Norman and Jason Avery. The rest of the Monstrosity components remained the same, i.e. everything was kept in the familiar to "Millennium" regions.

Of course, this does not mean that "In Dark Purity" is something bad, imitative or not worth recommending. Well, it lacks elements that can often be read in the context of this album, i.e. absolutely genius and overwhelming with incredible expression. Such epithets do not really fit to "In Dark Purity" context - it's just a good album, but not a revelation. The music - although it's on average surprising - maintains a very high level. Americans from Monstrosity are focusing in medium-fast death metal (again, a bit like Cannibal Corpse - who would have guessed!), but without letting go the blasting; on the other side, they are focusing in quite catchy and not exaggerated in terms of melodies death metal - of course, just enough not to disturb the overall heaviness of the music. The extensive and catchy "Perpetual War", the title track, "Hymns Of Tragedy" or "Suffering To The Conquered" and the most brutal songs like "Destroying Divinity", "Dust To Dust" and "Embraced By Apathy" (again, strongly inspired by Cannibal Corpse!) are the best examples of this term. Generally, as I mentioned, the whole album keeps a very good level - and this despite the fact that there were 14 tracks on "In Dark Purity". My biggest reservations are only to the "Angel Of Death", a cover in which Monstrosity did not add too much to the Slayer classic.

Regarding the new line-up. While Tony Norman flawlessly matched the style of the riffs from the previous lp, Jason's vocals bring some changes. There is not much of it, but his growls and higher registers are more "normal" and - most importantly - do not follow the Corpsegrinder style. This is enough to qualify as an advantage.

"In Dark Purity" is therefore a relatively successful opening of a new chapter for Monstrosity - which did not have to be the case. Without people such as George Fisher and Jason Morgan, the band managed to keep the spirit of their previous recordings and create material that uses proven means. And this despite the fact that it's not at the same level as their previous cds.

Originally on: https://subiektywnymetal.blogspot.com/2022/02/monstrosity-in-dark-purity-1999.html

After "Millennium," George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher left Monstrosity to join Cannibal Corpse. The rest of the band then hit a fork in the road: they could either continue or retire. They chose the former, hiring vocalist Jason Avery, formerly of Eulogy, who worked with them on "Millennium" as the backing vocalist on some tracks. The rest of their lineup staying the same as before, and they went on to write their next full-length which was released in 1999. "In Dark Purity" was not as technical as "Millennium," but it built off of it. In fact, it's more like a combination of their first two albums.

The reason that this album is not as technical as "Millennium" is because it was mostly written by Jay Fernandez of Brutality. Why this is is unknown to me because I cannot find a record of Fernandez ever being in the band. However, he is credited by the band for writing the music for tracks two, four, seven, eight, nine, and 10. Despite writing these songs, he does not play anything on the final product. Brutality is still a fairly technical band, but nowhere near as technical as Monstrosity on their 1996 release. His writing style fits, but it lacks the jumpiness and time signature experimentation that made "Millennium" so amazing.

No matter how "simplified" it is compared to their second album, "In Dark Purity" is still one of their best. It shows development on the riffing styles of songs like "Slaves and masters" and "Devious Instinct" from "Millennium." This riffing style makes use of harmonization and feeling, so that no only does it have extremely awesome riffs, but they also sound uplifting. This riffing style is seen on tracks like "Angel's Venom," "Perpetual War," and the title track.

The structure of this album, like their previous released, is balanced. They have great songs at the beginning, and great tracks at the end.  In fact, my favorite track is the last one on the album. I don't mean the Slayer cover or the instrumental outro. I mean the actual song: the title track. Over six minutes of harmonized riffing that fills me with joy every time I hear it. Leading up to this track is a lot of thrashing OSDM on tracks like "The Eye of Judgement" and "Dust to Dust." There's also "Perpetual War," a slow, chugging song reminiscent of "Fragments of Resolution."  However, all of the songs between "Angel's Venom" and "Perpetual War" tend to blend together.  After a while of listening to the album, I can identify most of the tracks when listening to the album all the way through, and "Suffering the Conquered" becomes more and more familiar with every listen.  However, the rest of the material becomes a blurry mess of thrashing death metal.

Another thing about the structure, I could do without the last track being a cover. It's a good cover, so it's at least acceptable. It also gives clear identification to the influences of this album, especially since some moments on here sound like Slayer. However, I would rather have it in the middle of the album because this album has an instrumental outro and a track that flows nicely into it, and all of that becomes lost once another track comes next. And, to make it even more of a moodkiller, it's not even an original.

Until 2018, this album was their longest, clocking at just over 50 minutes. Their newest album is longer, unless you don't get the CD version with two extra tracks, but as those two songs are new, I still consider them part of the actual album. The length of this album does not bother me. Usually, long album like this can become tedious, but "In Dark Purity" moves along at great speeds, and there is never a dull moment. Despite tracks blending together, I never find myself checking to see how much longer I have to suffer through the album. And that's the thing: I don't have to suffer through it because it's so damn good.

Overall Rating: 91%

Originally written for themetalvoid.wordpress.com

Underrated and relatively unknown, being overshadowed by other Floridian death metal acts of the early 90's, Monstrosity deliver to us their third long-player. This is the entity that Corpsegrinder first appeared with and jumped ship from, in 1996, while pulling double duty vocals on Cannibal Corpse's Vile album. The leads here are fucking amazing. I mean, they work well within this deathly context, but as a stand alone shred-fest Malmsteen would have nightmares...

As far as crediting musicians for the dexterous guitar acrobatics, I suggest you refer to the page here at the Archives for a clear and precise listing. The cast of characters is mostly unknown; Norman played bass for Terrorizer at their reformation and Conlon did the same on Death's seminal 'Symbolic' album (But would you have been able to name him if I didn't mention that fact here?). They left their mark on this recording and simply faded into obscurity. Jay Fernandez (of Brutality) penned the majority of the album but he didn't record even a single note on the damn thing. As it stands the rhythm is exceptionally tight and controlled and it is the driving force behind most of the 50 minutes. For that we can thank Lee Harrison for his excellent drumming.

Onto the review! We begin with a minute-long classically synthesized orchestral introduction before the whirlwind of 'Destroying Divinity' comes storming in. Steamrolling double bass drumming ushers in heavily palm-muted tremolo riffage. It spikes with high notes and falls to ghastly lows. Leads erupt from the left and right channels without warning and it's all controlled so beautifully that it makes me envious.

I just made this up, but, it's what I would call a 'story-book' album. Meaning that there is a clear beginning, middle and end. A lot of bands put together their best songs to complete the terms of an album but few rarely have this kind of flow. It's akin to Metallica's Ride the Lightning per se. In my opinion, this is just a well-arranged album full of well-written songs one right after the other. There's slower brooding pieces, quick and sharp attacks, rhythmic pummeling bliss and shredding guitar wizardry. The general sound is somewhat muddy but, adding more volume usually fixes such minor quibbling.

I would say also that this has a lot of Morbid Angel influence, but I'm not a huge Morbid Angel fan. So I'll come up with my own version: A much tighter-knit, less sloppy yet still blood-soaked sweater than any Morbid Angel X-Mass sweaters lying around. Standard fare guttural vocals are somewhat buried in the mix and that's alright. As I mentioned earlier, the real focal point of this album is the music overall. Fuck vocals. Fuck lyrics. I want crushing death metal! And this is it. Don't worry about the bonus track; all you get is an obligatory cover of Slayer's Angel of Death. ...That's new.

This cover art was created with the latest and greatest of 90's technology! Look how green that plasma shit is coming out of that Hell's angel's hands! Magnificent! All in all, this Monstrosity's finest hour. They've been inactively active for so long though, that I doubt they'll come close to it again. So if underrated 90's Floridian death metal is what you seek, seek this out now!

Having had the Corpse wagon arrive and wheel away George Fisher to ghastlier and richer pastures, Monstrosity were forced to put up or shut up. They chose the former, acquiring the maniacal Jason Avery for their new front man, and proceeded to pen a more balanced attack than their sophomore Millenium. Avery’s got a standard, blunt tone very reminiscent of the Corpsegrinder, without the snarls that George will occasionally weave into the percussion of his voice, but any lack of variation in the gutturals is recompensed through the dynamic musical palette.

In Darkest Purity can be just as fast as its predecessor when it needs to, but the songs are even more thoughtful and widespread without losing the characteristics of intense double bass via Lee Harrison, or surgical riffing techniques that were competitive with the very best in the genre, if not quite so distinct or memorable. A few of my favorites include “Suffering to the Conquered”, one of the most beautiful Monstrosity efforts in their history, graceful spires of dual melodies writhing through the intro and verses, especially that ascending stream of mutes after the :50 mark. The leads in this song are particularly good, mirroring its somber and elegant aesthetic.

Elsewhere, there are a few prime technical death/thrashers not unlike the finer points of the sophomore album. I speak of “Destroying Divinity” and its robust, razor sharpness, the resonance of Avery’s grunts cast above the merciless landscape like hellish nets. Or “Dust to Dust”, a straight burst of speed limit breaking enhanced by the cymbal crashes and almost exotic melodies immersed in the central rhythm. “Shapeless Domination”, “Embraced by Apathy” and the instrumental “The Pillars of Drear” are also highlights, though the rest of the album is give or take, with a mix of slower chugging pieces and primal bursts redolent of what Cannibal Corpse were writing with their newly acquired link to this entity.

The production is highly polished, all notes cleanly executed and the various instruments balanced off well against Avery’s apocryphal bludgeoning, and perhaps In Darkest Purity might be regarded as one of the prototypes for the new wave of technical, young USDM acts of the 21st century who followed suit. The lyrics are again decent, a near constant characteristic of Monstrosity, but the cover art to this album is nearly as awful as the sophomore. Minor gripes aside, this is a functional effort which proves life after Fisher, and still feels fresh to date, even if its not their most memorable work.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Monstrosity was always plagued with line-up changes, but the mix seems to have worked amazingly well on this album..tight rhythm, fluid lead work, gawk-worthy drumming, and a cover of 'Angel of Death'..come on, what more could you want from a metal album, right?

Wrong. You can't say you know FL death metal until you've heard 'In Dark Purity'. Riffs bombard you like you're caught in some trench in the middle of a war (Perpetual War..hahaha). The bass has a natural feel to it, so all the double-bass thumping doesn't feel clinical. A special word has to be put in here for Jay Fernandes..the man seems to have drifted from his metal roots, but he tears the floor open with his lead on this album (for more of Mr. Fernandes, check out Brutality) & imho, he's right up there with the gods, such as Azagthoth, James Murphy etc.

The thing that strikes me everytime I hear the album has to be the variety in the songs and of the compositions. Each of the songs have their own personality. This has not even been achieved by the well established DM bands, as there is at least a repetition of ideas over an album.(read 'CC')
All the purists might be a bit cranky about the production here - it's all crisp and clean. This change is rather refreshing actually, just to break out of the mould.

In conclusion......w.t.f are you doing reading this, go get the album!!!

Monstrosity have put together a charming little death metal record with "In Dark Purity". The playing is extremely commendable and the production is five notces above what most other underground death metal bands are doing today. Despite their consistent output the band tends to get lost in the shuffle due to their status as being one of "those" bands that really have no purpose other than to make solid (but not spectacular) death metal records. With "In Dark Purity" we have ourselves the same dilemma. The record is excellent performed and produced, but the material is simply "solid".

Monstrosity could stand to find a muse that is bigger than the normal death metal grist. They have many good ideas in the songs, but they never come together to make one supreme statement. Are they hateful? Do they despise something? Do they love evil? All of these questions are answered in a non-commital manner musically and one can often slide through listening to the record without being inspired to think/feel more than anything than "Monstrosity can play and this material is ok". Compared to their big league competition...Monstrosity just seem to lack any form of real identity that can bring them into the same light as the legends.

Monstrosity don't have the history of Cannibal Corpse, the strange genius of Morbid Angel or even the personality of a Deicide. They are just here...and just putting out records that don't suck. This is good, but for them it just means that they'll toil as the "average guys" of death metal forever without being mentioned in the same breath as those who have become the figureheads for the genre.

I give this one solid thumb up for it's lack of being bad, and if you're in a death metal mood it might just hit the right spot. I enjoy this record for what it is, though I cannot presented that it's significance will be long lasting or even an honorable mention ten years from now. It's good, but not great...it's brutal, but not life threatening...it's just...death metal.

Oh yeah...get a better computer artists guys. The cover is just horrible.

I have always thought of Monstrosity as the most underated band of the early 90´s Florida death metal scene. Maybe it´s because they take more time than most bands to release their albums, I don´t really know if that´s why.

The fact is that for me they are one of the top death metal bands of all time and they still maintain their status after 10 years (and 3 albums). In 'In Dark Purity', Monstrosity bring us 14 tracks of technical brutal death metal, where one can realise why they take so long to release their albums - because they don´t want to release albums like if they were just food, that you consume it, after a short while you forget about it and wait for more of the same a couple of years later (or even less). Of course it doesn´t apply to every band, but one can really notice Monstrosity´s concern in getting the best out of them, working in their compositions as hard as they can to give the fans nothing less than 100% Monstrosity every time.

Like I said, the band plays techical brutal death metal, that we could say is fast for death metal (because 'fast' is a totally relative term, of course), with its share of blast beats, but it´s by no means a band that plays fast from start to finish. They probably have more space for melodies than most brutal death bands, but they don´t overuse them, they make use of it perfectly, in my opinion, and I would never say that it makes their sound more accessible, like so many bands out there, it just makes it more complete and beautiful. Besides the blast beats, Lee Harrison´s drum-work is rather complex but never boring or show-off like, just enhances the experience, quite a lot, indeed, he is for sure one of the top death drummers out there.

Newcomer Tony Norman´s guitar is brutal yet with a sense of melody - as I already said -, and with many great riffs, that are nothing extremely technical, but who cares? What matters is that they are great, not really what I would call fast death metal riffs, actually they are slower than most brutal death bands, but they flow greatly, with an excelent mix of brutality and technicality.

Then we get to new vocalist Jason Avery, who is nothing short of brilliant. He has the same style as old vocalist George Fisher but in my opinion he is even better. Jason has a very potent voice, with powerful yer well announced grunts and the great occasional tortured screams, similar to George´s.

I have to say that the lyrics were nothing really great to me, but they were interesting at least, staying away from the gore stuff (not that it is a bad thing), but unfortunatelly I wouldn´t be able to classify them.

To finish, great album for fans of technical yet brutal death, very well-played and composed, but with plenty of speed, brutality and intelligence (lyrics) to satisfy their fans, and comparing to the last output (Final Millenium), it´s a little less technical and a bit more direct, just to compare them.

Monstrosity; the sleeping giant of the Tampa Death Metal scene seems to have awakened to unleash this powerhouse upon the [enslaved] masses.

Ok, so it's a bit on the long side, clocking in at just under 60 minutes. Whereas most album of such length tend to get a bit boring or tedious at times, In Dark Purity proves to be well written through and through. It's sort of a change of pace for this band, too. The riffs seem a great deal more complex than they were the last time around. Someone's been studying their theory book. Tremolo picked, staccato, palm muted, arpeggiated...It's all here. Two of my favorites include the almost serpentine main riff to "The Angel's Venom" and what is in my opinion, the album's highlight "Perpetual War"

Throughout all 14 tracks Monstrosity pull no punches and throw just about everything they have at you. It can be dizzying and confusing at times, just because of the sheer amount of riff diversity present here. However, they still retain their thoroughly brutal sound. Nothing ever sounds disconnected or out of place.

In Dark Purity also saw a new addition to the line-up: James Avery on vocals. He had some big shoes to fill uon his entry into the band, but pulls it off, while adding his own vocal flair to the album.

Overall, this is a very good, american sounding Death Metal album with an above average mix. Don't hesitate to pick it up if you're looking for some brutal and "technical" Metal with no gimmicks or pretense.