Through The Eyes Of The Dead – Skepsis
released February 2, 2010 on Prosthetic Records
TTEOTD has come a long way since 2005′s Bloodlust. After switching vocalists and releasing the superior Malice, three-fifths of the band quit. This left bassist Jake Ososkie and founding guitarist Justin Longshore to regroup (literally). The end result finds the deathcore quintet inching ever closer toward death metal. Producer Eric Rutan (Hate Eternal/Morbid Angel) likely initiated this change. Skepis is self-produced, and I think much was learned down in Mana Studios.
The mix is crisp, even, and feels somehow intimate – almost claustrophobic. Their dense, knotty riffs are usually juxtaposed with brutal breakdowns, the last remnant of their -core origins, and a welcome departure. Most of these moments bring nothing new to the fold, and are usually a halfhearted endeavor. Ferocious new vocalist Danny Rodriguez improves TTEOTD immensely. His vocals are good bridge between the low-end register of Nate Johnson and the higher-pitched dexterity of original frontman Anthony Gunnells; although he’s still damn-near impossible to decipher 83% of the time.
Songs like “The Manifest” have lots of potential but just march forward without purpose, and this track in particular seems to end prematurely. I’m also suspect of their sparing use of guitar solos. The few included sound tentative at best, but they certainly improve two of the strongest tracks here: “No Haven” and “Defaced Reality”. Hopefully this area will develop in the future.
As for the album, give it a once-through to stay current with TTEOTD‘s evolution. However, I recommend pick-and-choose for later listening. You can skip the short intro, and avoid the pre-title track instrumental, “Insomnium”. Both are unnecessary padding, and do not serve the album well. Unfortunate, because “Skepsis” is a strong closer, but its impact is diminished by the time you get to it; enjoy singly.
FCC OK
Try 3, 5, 7
01. Parasite Throne
02. Dementia
03. No Haven
04. Perpetual Defilement
05. Inherit Obscurity
06. The Manifest
07. Defaced Reality
08. Siphonaptera From Within
09. Insomnium
10. Skepsis
Rating: 
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