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I am not a big admirer of Chuck Schuldiner, but I have to say that he did some good things, especially this last album, which spins hard in the stereo with its compelling rhythms, the gloomy atmosphere, and that extremely depressing punch that only his guitar could give.
He passed away prematurely, but he left behind not only his long career with the Death, but also this project which, in my opinion, seems to be his most extreme work. Everything works perfectly: his magical guitar and Shannon Hamm's, who alternate solos in an incomparable way, the demolition machine bass of Steve Di Giorgio, and one of the greatest drummers I have ever listened to, Richard Christy. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful everything...except for the one dissonant note that for many years divided the fans; among all those who were in favor of saying that "The Fragile Art Of Existence" was devilishly perfect from every point of view and among those who were upset by the participation (interference) of the lead singer Tim Aymar. Tim Aymar. I am still not convinced!.. I cannot yet figure out if he ruined this perfect ProgMetal album for me. Better not to think about it! Nonetheless, complex, sophisticated, visionary, wicked. For me, it has all the cards to withstand the comparison with the best productions of Dream Theater: "Images & Words" and "Scene from a Memory."
"Consumed" is beautiful, a perfect opening track with its sudden changes of direction in seven minutes, the guitar and Chuck's choice of lyrics immediately stand out. It's useless to tell you that the middle ones are astonishing, but it is the last one that truly captures the essence of this talented band. 10 minutes of an epic song, ruthless in its lyrics and extremely difficult to play.
Unfortunately, Chuck died two years later, leaving the stage without him (and not the other way around!). He fought hard against cancer but, in the end, he couldn't make it, and yet he left behind his guitar wonders and the emblem of having been one of the most influential names in Progressive Metal.
Chuck Schuldiner R.I.P. 13.12.01
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Consumed (07:24)
Your face is hiding deep inside my mind
Your touch is on my tongue
Your face is the deepest depths of my eyes
The eyes inside my soul
Once I was free, but now I am trapped
Once I was trapped, but now I am free
I taste the tears you bled
I felt the fears you shed
You thought I did not feel
You thought I could not taste
Consumed, escape through dreams
Consumed, trapped by dreams
Consumed, forever it seems
Do you feel the pain that I feel?
The pain that lives inside
Do you wear the chains that I wear
The ones that rub me raw
Every time it is the same three words
Every time the number speaks
And when you see me and you think I am there
You will know that it is just a dream
03 Expect the Unexpected (07:17)
And when life seems to be complete
It comes and knocks us off our feet
The element of surprise
The avengeful attack
Straight on your back it will send you
Into a state of deja-vu
Here it comes one more time
Showing its ugly face
Assaulting the senses
Screaming into the mind
Premeditating master plans
No need to underestimate
Prepare for what you cannot see
Expect the unexpected
And you will save yourself a state of shock
A waiting game, waiting to see
Expect the unexpected
And you will save yourself a state of shock
Another lesson learned to go with the others
That sit and wait to see
A silent voice
It doesn't matter who you are
In this sense we're all the same
To taste tranquility would be ecstasy
I'm holding on with all my might
To this ride we call life
Strapped down to clarity
Suprised no more
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Other reviews
By The_Bassist
This album is the last published testament of Chuck Schuldiner’s musical genius.
Tim Aymar is the album’s unique, wonderfully expressive heavy voice, giving emotion to the lyrics, which are less angry and much sadder and more melancholic.
