Deceased - Fearless Undead Machines (1997)

Within a few hours of now I'm going to have a bunch of friends over for horror movies, drinking and heavy metal, but before all that let's talk about a great zombie themed album from the mighty Arlington, Virginia death/thrashers, Deceased.

Deceased is a name I've known for years, and having seen them live back in the day at Milwaukee Metalfest a few times I should by all accounts probably bought up their whole discography, but for better or worse this is the only album I've ever heard and owned from them. Maybe that's not a bad thing at all though since this is often considered their masterpiece and although the subject matter of zombies and horror in general is common theme of the genre I suspect few have came as close to that classic Romero zombie madness as Deceased did on, 'Fearless Undead Machines.'

Dawn of the Deceased

As a conceptual album it has a very cinematic edge, opening with a news caster speaking on the zombie epidemic while from this cut to eleventh and final laceration King Fowley and crew discuss more than just horrific brain munching mania, but the scientific and religious aspects of it all are brought up as well the story seems to follow the few non-changed humans and their endless struggle to stay alive.

For thrash this a highly melodic album with tons and tons of exterminatingly awesome riffs and some cut-throat leads, as well as some jaw gaping solos to boot, likewise the songs are rarely typical in structure and just sort of flow along without any chorus' or anything that would normally make a thrash song potentially catchy. Then again this isn't pure thrash by any means, as you'll discover a strong 80's mishmash of styles ranging from the obvious thrash style, but also a bit of speed metal and even leanings towards a proto-death metal manner here and there. Fowley's unique rough voice and maniacal screams feel perfect for this sort of concept and had an album like this had a clearer speaker and screamer it wouldn't have been as effective. There's also some short narrative pieces that put a back story to the carnage, such is the case with, 'Contamination' or 'From The Ground They Came,' which is just a simple but chillin' instrumental, but things always pick up quickly afterwards and get back to the thrashin'.

The album is also interestingly long at nearly seventy minutes and I'll admit that at times it does feel a little long, but if you have the lyrics in hand it really does keep you on the edge of your seat, but be careful not to fall off if you should happen to start headbanging too dramatically. You've got to also consider the fact that this album was created when thrash metal wasn't exactly the hip thing. Almost all of the old thrashers from the 80's had turned into something really awful by '97 as well many had already called it quits between '92 - '94. However, Deceased said fuck the 90's trend bullshit and just pulled the fucking trigger and brought the 80's hammering back through this monster of an album!

Sure, you could go with Cannibal Corpse or Mortician or any other swarm of bands that have had zombie and gore themes today, but I say go for this one, because 'Fearless Undead Machines' is far more ruthless and bloodthirsty than any of those bands, even if they are not as brutal. UP THE TOMBSTONES, MOTHERFUCKER!!!