•
Rating:
Underrated.
Yes, this is certainly the first term that is associated with "Spiritual Healing," undoubtedly the least appreciated work by the fans of what shortly (in my opinion) would become the greatest band the entire universe has ever seen come to light.
Oh yes, it is indeed difficult to review this album, their absolute worst for many, (however, in my opinion on par with "Leprosy") but certainly always to be prominently displayed in the discography of the legendary Death.
Let's get one thing clear right away: these are not gratuitous compliments written only to pay homage to Chuck Schuldiner, the greatest musician ever (I remind you that I always speak according to my opinions), but "Spiritual Healing" deserves every single word present in this review, and the history of Death also passes through this album.
This album also represents a significant step forward in the maturation of the Floridian band even though, as we all know, the best is yet to come.
There is a notable improvement in technique and production, but that’s not all because there are many features that make this work unique and different from the previous two. While in "Scream Bloody Gore" and "Leprosy" we find violent, vicious songs with texts focused on the most splatter horror, in this CD the songs start to become longer, more thoughtful, where we find a touch of melody and (very important element) significantly more mature and intriguing lyrics, inspired by societal issues ("Living Monstruosity," practically a denunciation against drug addiction, is a clear example) that in time will evolve to themes with a philosophical background that were greatly appealing to Evil Chuck so much so that he will make massive use of them in the subsequent four inhuman releases produced by Death.
All of this makes "Spiritual Healing" a certainly original album (at least for the time), with high-level technique while still maintaining violence and speed.
The combination of all these novelties is also due to the splendid performance of the incredibly talented James Murphy, who would later play with high-level bands like Obituary and Testament.
Unfortunately, the album presents a notable discontinuity, even though every single song is well-crafted and played excellently, and songs like
"Living Monstruosity," "Altering The Future," and the Title Track deserve to be mentioned.
In the end, we can conclude by saying that the great Chuck Schuldiner with "Spiritual Healing" may not have left a masterpiece, but certainly a good record, nothing less.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Altering the Future (05:34)
Creating a life only to destroy
Saved from a life of the unemployed
Where crime is the only way to survive
Which is the best to be dead or alive?
Maybe a chance but maybe not
Born to be thrown in the trash to rot
To exist in this world may be a mistake
The one who is your child, it's their choice to make
Death and life taken so easily
Right or wrong, whose choice will it be?
Abortion, when it is needed
Execution, for those who deserve it
The giving and taking of life will always be
Altering the future
Look into the future to prepare us for our fate
Controlling our existence with every life we take
Life for a life should remain the rule
The innocent victim that is what's cruel
Look to the past is what we should do
When justice was done and justice was true
Using our laws to help their escape
An easy way out is what they create
Claiming insane is the way to freedom
People are stupid enough to believe them
Death and life taken so easily
Right or wrong, whose choice will it be?
Abortion, when it is needed
Execution, for those who deserve it
The giving and taking of life will always be
03 Defensive Personalities (04:45)
One mind divided into three, For every problem a personality
Each one trying to protect, for the crisis a person they'll select
With sorrow comes reassurance, With confusion there's ignorance
Deny who they are, A fantasy gone gone too far
Protecting the weak points of the mind
Defensive personalities
Violent one minute calm the next
Defensive Personalities
Passed down from generations, Years of pain and complication
Darkness was a punishment, Memories time cannot mend
Brutalised from the day of birth, To reality they can't return
Existing in a world of three lives inside of one
Protecting the weak points of the mind
Defensive personalities
Violent one minute calm the next
Defensive Personalities
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Excreted Alive
A savage, unstoppable pace, with Chuck’s evil voice exploding into the demonic scream SPIRITUALLL HHHEALING.
Spiritual Healing has only one flaw, which is the sound of Bill Andrews’ drums: a flatulent sound.
