Dismember Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
With their eponymous, eighth studio album (and its emphatic opening track, "Death Conquers All," in particular), Dismember clearly wish to restate their enduring commitment to the genre they've stuck with through thick and thin since day one; even though most of their colleagues from the first generation of late '80s, Swedish death metal bands, wandered off towards greener musical pastures long ago, or simply went away entirely. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. First the good thing: it means that, with very few exceptions (like the clean, melodic ending of "Under a Bloodred Sky" -- very Iron Maiden) Dismember's loyal and stylistically conservative fan base can rest assured that typical new tracks like "Europa Burns," "The Hills Have Eyes," and the utterly pulverizing "To End It All," will sound like authentic snapshots of the band's early days -- down to the insistent Cookie Monster vocals and those distinctively Swedish, hollow and grinding guitar tones. The bad thing, of course, is the simultaneous creative stagnation that's sure to leave more open-minded listeners feeling that they've heard all these songs (good ones like those cited above and not so good like "Legion," "Combat Fatigue," and "Dark Depths") done before, in only slightly altered form, on those first few Entombed, Edge of Sanity, and, yes, Dismember LPs. Sound subjective enough? Well, that's just because it is, but Dismember are obviously wise not to go changing their successful blueprint this late in the game. Their devoted fans will certainly thank them for that. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
'God That Never Was'
Release Date 3/7/2006
Tracks 11
Label Candlelight
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
"Eighteenth anniversary" are two words that, back in 1988, probably never entered the minds of either the Swedish moshers who comprised Dismember's original lineup or their early fans in Stockholm. Back then, death metal was a new kid on the headbanger block -- and it was a bad, unruly, nasty, disturbing kid who was loud and obnoxious even by metal standards. The kind of kid who seems destined to live fast, self-destruct, die young, and leave a not-so-pretty corpse behind -- not someone who will still be going strong 18 years down the line. But death metal endured, and Dismember celebrated their 18th anniversary with the release of The God That Never Was in 2006 (although technically, it's a 17th anniversary celebration because the album was recorded during the summer/early autumn of 2005). This is not a band that has become more congenial with time or a band that "had to grow up eventually"; providing death metal that is very mindful of thrash, Dismember is still blistering after 18 years -- and they aren't apologetic about it. If there is anything "grown up" about The God That Never Was, it is the musicianship; the moshers in this Dismember lineup definitely have chops, which is an important point because -- face it -- there are plenty of young rockers these days who can't play their instruments and haven't spent enough time in what jazz musicians call "the shed." The God That Never Was reminds you that being loud, fast, and abrasive doesn't have to mean being sloppy -- and while this 35-minute CD doesn't take Dismember into any new or uncharted territory, it is a decent, if predictable, effort that is played with conviction and underscores the longevity of these Nordic death metal veterans. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Where Ironcrosses Grow'
Release Date 3/8/2004
Tracks 10
Label Hammerheart
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Scandinavian death metal/black metal scene is not for the faint of heart. Bands often write about Satanism and the occult, vocalists try to sound as evil as possible, and things can get bloody intense when dozens of young Nordic headbangers decide to form a mosh pit at a live concert. Notice the use of the word "dozens" as opposed to thousands; while many mainstream rockers can easily sell out huge soccer stadiums, most Scandinavian death metal bands are so harsh and brutally punishing that they will never even come close to mainstream acceptance (which is just as well because many of them treasure their underground outsider status). Nonetheless, some Nordic death metal bands are more merciful than others, and Where Ironcrosses Grow represents the more musical side of Swedish death metal. For all its bombast and sledgehammer fury, this CD is less extreme than most of the death metal albums that were recorded in Sweden in the early 2000s. Dismember's late-2002/early-2003 lineup -- lead singer Matti Karki, guitarist David Blomqvist, bassist Richard Cabeza, and drummer Fred Estby -- is relatively melodic (at least by death metal/black metal standards), and the material often underscores the band's debt to '80s thrash. Stylistically, Where Ironcrosses Grow is closer to Slayer and Sepultura than, say, an amelodic grindcore outfit like the infamous Cannibal Corpse. Of course, Slayer and Sepultura can be ferocious, and Where Ironcrosses Grow isn't exactly easy listening; melody and all, this release packs a nasty, bruising punch. Clearly, time has not mellowed or softened Dismember, who celebrated their 15th anniversary in 2003 -- and while this CD doesn't break any new ground for the Nordic metalheads, longtime followers will find it to be a respectable addition to their catalog. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Dismember haven't changed their raw, biting brand of death metal much on their fourth full-length album, Hate Campaign, but they've definitely mastered it. Adding Mercyful Fate bassist Sharlee D'Angelo only strengthens the band's foundation, making for another extremely solid record and proof that the basic, hard-line Swedish death sound retains its vitality. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'Massive Killing Capacity'
Release Date 9/5/1995
Tracks 11
Label Nuclear Blast
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Like an Ever Flowing Stream'
Release Date 1/28/1992
Tracks 10
Label Nuclear Blast
See Album Tracklist and Review
