FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On November 21, 1991, Broken Hope released their debut full-length studio album Swamped In Gore via Grind Core Records/RedLight Label (Reissued on November 21, 1995 via Metal Blade Records).
The album was recorded on 24 tracks digitally by Digital Systems Recording Group in Gurnee, IL at Wave Digital Studios, utilizing an AKAI Adam DR1200.
(1995 Metal Blade Reissue Cover)
Background:
In the early '90s, Chicago had a burgeoning underground Death Metal scene, highlighted by bands like Cianide, Morgue and Oppressor.
Perhaps the very first Death Metal band from the city's greater metropolitan area to release a full-length album, was the one and only Broken Hope. Initially formed in 1988 and having released their first demo in 1990, the band was in top form in the latter half of 1991. When they set out to commit to their debut full-length album, the early lineup of Broken Hope, featuring; Joe Ptacek (vocals), Jeremy Wagner (rhythm guitar), Brian Griffin (lead guitar), and Ryan Stanek (drums) scored a deal with the then-fledgling Grindcore/RedLight Label and released their debut album, Swamped in Gore.
Looking back, much has been said about the fact that Swamped in Gore was the very first worldwide Death Metal release to be recorded digitally from start to finish. Recorded at Gurnee's Wave Digital 24-track studios (where other regional bands such as Morbid Saint had once worked), one might think that choosing to record in all-digital format over the much-preferred analog trend of the time would result in something lifeless and sterile, but this is most certainly not the case with Swamped in Gore. The crisp, lo-fi, low-budget production handled by guitarist Brian Griffin is actually a highlight of the album, giving it a raw, Punk flavor, calling attention to the subtleties of the music therein.
Critical Reception:
AllMusic reviewer John Book compared Swamped in Gore to Death's 1987 debut album Scream Bloody Gore saying;
“The debut album from the powerful and progressive Illinois Death Metal quintet is one of the first in Death Metal to be recorded in digital from start to finish."
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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