Autopsy
Severed Survival

THE REVIEW

Rightly considered among the leading figures of the Death Metal movement, Autopsy began in 1987, when promising drummer Chris Reifert, already credited for a worthy performance on Death's debut album "Scream Bloody Gore" by the great Chuck Schuldiner, decided it was time for him to give free rein to his twisted imagination. Consequently, he quit Death and planned to create a new group in which he himself would be the foundation, the ground floor, and the entire skyscraper: Autopsy, perhaps the most important Death Metal group along with the aforementioned Death and various Morbid Angel (you must interpret "various" not only as referring to Morbid, but to all the important Death Bands of that period and that musical genre).

Drawing musical inspiration from early Metallica, Slayer, Death (of which he had been a part until shortly before) and generally from all the Thrash/Death groups that were rampant in the United States at the time (what a shitty country?), good Chris laid the foundation to build his sick creature, which he decided to name Autopsy. In 1989, while Death Metal was emitting its first cries thanks to extreme bands making excellent debuts like the "usual" Morbid Angel and Sepultura, by recruiting two of the best guitarists then present on the extreme scene, namely Eric (hk) Cutler and Danny Coralles and "borrowing" the most promising American bassist at the time concerning Metallus Mortis, the "Italian" Steve DiGiorgio, Reifert also took over the microphone and officially gave life to the first offspring of the morbid creature, this "Severed Survival".

From what can be gathered from the group's name and the cover itself, the group speaks clearly, presenting themes focused mostly on politically engaged and socially active topics such as dismemberments, beating-heart autopsies, purulent infections, and perpetually rotting organs, thus demonstrating a concern for the health of Reagan's country, which at the time was certainly not experiencing its golden phase, also due to the "Neverending Cold War Crisis". The poor production, executed by John Marshall and the group, clearly giving the impression of a "do it yourself" characteristic of the first emerging Death groups, only confirms the premises, making the sounds sick, rotten, and disgusting, but not desperate: the bass is audible (and I take this opportunity to ask why, when the bass is heard in a Metal production, it must be defined as "poor"), highlighting the excellent characteristics of the promising Stevie, who at the moment is not at his technical peak but offers an excellent performance, going all out also with the chords.

From the killer opener "Charred Remains" to the concluding "Stillborn", everything borders on perfection, a magnificent blend of technique, musicality, and decay, all overshadowed by the sick Growl of Reifert (who slightly sacrifices the rhythmic part with never too elaborate drumming to the advantage of an excellent vocal performance), singing all sorts against official medicine, delivering the all-too-clear message: "Don't get operated on in a hospital, come to my house, I'll take care of you: American healthcare is in crisis, my house is not, so come and don't despair if you find the fourth arm (because we already have the third, hehehe), it's all for manual practicality. And, last but not least, no liability is assumed for any damage to things and/or people (I emphasize: to THINGS)."

One of the few, true, powerful, and important Masterpieces of the era, which can look straight into the eyes of "Altar Of Madness" (reviewed by me UAZZZ) et alii telling them "Oh, but who the hell do you think you are, show-offs!?" without ever innovating more than necessary, thus remaining anchored to clear Thrash roots. Anyone who calls themselves a Deathster, therefore, cannot come and tell me: "I saw it for 10 euros, but I was undecided, so I picked up the latest Slipknot, which definitely inspired me more". AAAARGHHHH!
Magnificent. Even Autopsy themselves would never surpass the quality level of this immense, rotten, burning-flesh-smelling album until they disbanded in 1994 due to Reifert's cannibalism (just kidding!).

Joking aside, you really must have it: a magnificent album that is the best of a band that was an absolute pillar of Death Metal.