𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
On December 18, 1991, Deceased released their first full-length studio album Luck of the Corpse via Relapse Records (released in Europe in February 1992).
One of America's true underground Death Metal pioneers and the very first band to sign a deal with then-fledgling label, Relapse Records, back in 1991. The band's debut album, Luck of the Corpse, released later that year, was immensely well received worldwide and has sold more than 20,000 units to date.
Background:
King Fowley and guitarist Doug Souther started the band in 1984 in Arlington, Virginia with a goal to "out-Thrash Slayer". They experimented with a number of band names, formations and styles before settling on the Deceased name and first real lineup in 1986 consisting of Fowley on drums and vocals, Mark Adams joining Souther on guitar, and bassist Rob Sterzel.
Tragedy struck the group on March 3, 1988 when Sterzel and several friends, including the brother of guitarist Doug Souther, were killed in a hit-and-run accident. Les Snyder became the bassist later that year. Souther quit and was replaced by Mike Smith in 1991. As the first act signed to Relapse Records, the lineup of King Fowley, Mike Smith, Mark Adams, and Les Snyder recorded and released the bands first full-length Luck of the Corpse.
Following it’s release, this lineup lasted over a decade and recorded some of the group's most celebrated works.
Notes:
Mike Smith is mentioned on the album but did not record any of the guitar tracks.
The albums cover art is taken from the 1963 movie Black Sabbath.
Shrieks from the Hearse dedicated to Steve O and Mark from Impetigo.
The album is dedicated to the memories of Rob Sterzel, Larry Auscio, Steve Souther, Slatko Dolic & Lisa Marie Thompson.
Recording information:
Recorded: October 1990.
Studio: Oz Studios, Baltimore MD.
Produced by Deceased & Frank Marchand.
Mixed by Deceased & Frank Marchand.
Critical Reception:
In a review for AllMusic, Bradley Torreano wrote;
“Combining the aural assault of Carcass with the technical skills of Voivod, Deceased crafts a strong brew of metal on their debut album. From the creepy cover art to the gore-drenched lyrics, this is Death Metal narrowed down to the elements fans of the genre like most: disgusting lyrics and heavy riffs. Surprisingly enough, the music here is almost catchy at times.
Songs like Psychedelic Warriors and Decrepit Coma have memorable riffs and lyrics that are actually not that hard to understand. Drummer/singer King Fowley has an enthusiasm for the genre that is infectious, and his drumming and singing are the highlights of this album.
The songs shift and shape into nice little compositions, letting the songs change pace and styles at odd points that invite the frequent Voivod comparisons. And Birth by Radiation is an excellent track that begins with a spacey guitar party, but slowly changes into a brutal Metal song that ends with a blistering guitar solo. Like most Death Metal albums, this is nothing that a typical radio listener would enjoy, but to fans of underground Metal, Luck of the Corpse is a solid chunk of Technical Death Metal.”
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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