Review by Adam M on September 23, 2015.

When speaking of classic progressive death metal albums, one must mention Atheist’s Unquestionable Presence. It has the splendid guitar riffs of an absolute gem of an album. It is also the bridge between the later more jazzy material of the band and the more pure death metal of earlier times. This means the album contains the best of both worlds. The sort of free flowing jazz element of the album displays the band constantly changing and remaining interesting.

There are many excellent tracks on the album, but the highlight for me has to be the closing track …And the Psychic Straw. This song is simply an amalgamation of excitement and holds a small edge over the track Mother Man as the best on the disc. One thread that works its way throughout this entire release is the excellent bass playing beneath the exterior. It adds another dimension to the quality of this album. There are constantly interesting ideas that are put into play. This makes every song sound different than the last. The undermining drumming and bass work always makes each part flow together to create a magnificently cohesive whole. Guitar work is nimble and works well with the other instrumentation. The vocalist has a voice that fits nicely over the music, but is nothing incredibly spectacular like the remainder of the instrumentation. Altogether this album rivals the likes of Cynic’s Focus and other stellar progressive death metal releases for musicianship and it’s easy to see why.

At the end of the day, however, it is the ability to write good songs that matters most and this is where Unquestionable Presence shines. This release could be considered a transition album and it takes the best from all different time frames to combine into one stellar overall release. Any death metal fan that has yet to check this album out needs to hear it.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 23, 2015.

When speaking of classic progressive death metal albums, one must mention Atheist’s Unquestionable Presence. It has the splendid guitar riffs of an absolute gem of an album. It is also the bridge between the later more jazzy material of the band and the more pure death metal of earlier times. This means the album contains the best of both worlds. The sort of free flowing jazz element of the album displays the band constantly changing and remaining interesting.

There are many excellent tracks on the album, but the highlight for me has to be the closing track …And the Psychic Straw. This song is simply an amalgamation of excitement and holds a small edge over the track Mother Man as the best on the disc. One thread that works its way throughout this entire release is the excellent bass playing beneath the exterior. It adds another dimension to the quality of this album. There are constantly interesting ideas that are put into play. This makes every song sound different than the last. The undermining drumming and bass work always makes each part flow together to create a magnificently cohesive whole. Guitar work is nimble and works well with the other instrumentation. The vocalist has a voice that fits nicely over the music, but is nothing incredibly spectacular like the remainder of the instrumentation. Altogether this album rivals the likes of Cynic’s Focus and other stellar progressive death metal releases for musicianship and it’s easy to see why.

At the end of the day, however, it is the ability to write good songs that matters most and this is where Unquestionable Presence shines. This release could be considered a transition album and it takes the best from all different time frames to combine into one stellar overall release. Any death metal fan that has yet to check this album out needs to hear it.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by JD on December 30, 2009.

Liquid Optimism... kind of reminds me of when I had way too much to drink when I was younger, and there is a beauty of a lady at the bar. Perhaps that is exactly what the band is trying to convey about their music.

This Australian band (now seemingly based in the USA) is a very amazing sort of band. They are Extreme Metal, Hardcore and Progressive all at once... creating a sound that is unique. Pounding drums and steel melting guitars lines assault you at every turn, while the combative vocals seem to not only pummel you but the lyrics have both angst and humour wrapped up in intelligence.

Songs like the title track or even the instrumental attack of ‘Rain Maker’ shows that you can be heavy, progressive and downright powerful all in one. Frightening to think that a band such as Liquid Optimism has both sides of the metal spectrum with such talent as this, not to mention one more factor that sets them aside from most bands... they do not take themselves seriously and just have fun.

This is a band that seems to be taking a different route to the top of the metal heap, while blazing a path for others that are sure to actually follow. They are a very good band, they have fun while just simply rocking the right way. Look out everyone, Liquid Optimism can and will just get better with time and heart... as long as they stay true to the music.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 7.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7.5
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 4, 2020.

The first Slaughter Messiah output I got in touch with was Morbid Re-Incantations and here we have the persecutor of this fascinating EP. The general approach does not differ from the record from 2016 and this is anything but a surprise when considering the former activities of Lord Sabathan. As a logical consequence, Slaughter Messiah present vehement, violent and infernal black metal whose riffs originate from the lungs of hell. Nevertheless, the band does not forget to intersperse the necessary modicum of melodies. The three songs do not reach the fantastic level of the highlights of Morbid Re-Incantations, but Putrid Invokation provides 13 minutes of diabolical entertainment.

The well-equipped (black) vinyl offers a lyric sheet and a poster with the cover artwork, but, of course, the music is the main content. The back cover promises "Ancient Metal of Death", but in my humble opinion, the black metal elements maintain the upper hand. The brutality of Slaughter Messiah's music might be comparable with that of some death metal formations, but generally speaking, the music has not much in common with old school death metal. The guitars are not absurdly low-tuned, the lead vocalist does not growl, and the melodic ingredients always deliver an atmospheric element. The configuration of the songs lies precisely in the middle between high sophisticated and primitive. Finally, the well-placed tempo changes contribute dynamic and dramatic vibrations.

In terms of quantity, such a relatively short release might be deemed as questionable, but everybody with a penchant for apocalyptic black metal will enjoy the quality of the EP. I promise that there are no signs of fickleness or laxness, the Belgians know only one direction and stay away from any form of experiment. But fortunately, they also know how their music must sound. The EP has a proper sound, minimally blurred yet aggressive, raw and roughshod. Long story short, this vinyl will not disappoint all freaks who like pure, authentic black metal. Hopefully, the formation breaks out of its EP scheme and publishes a full-length pretty soon.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 4, 2020.

The first Slaughter Messiah output I got in touch with was Morbid Re-Incantations and here we have the persecutor of this fascinating EP. The general approach does not differ from the record from 2016 and this is anything but a surprise when considering the former activities of Lord Sabathan. As a logical consequence, Slaughter Messiah present vehement, violent and infernal black metal whose riffs originate from the lungs of hell. Nevertheless, the band does not forget to intersperse the necessary modicum of melodies. The three songs do not reach the fantastic level of the highlights of Morbid Re-Incantations, but Putrid Invokation provides 13 minutes of diabolical entertainment.

The well-equipped (black) vinyl offers a lyric sheet and a poster with the cover artwork, but, of course, the music is the main content. The back cover promises "Ancient Metal of Death", but in my humble opinion, the black metal elements maintain the upper hand. The brutality of Slaughter Messiah's music might be comparable with that of some death metal formations, but generally speaking, the music has not much in common with old school death metal. The guitars are not absurdly low-tuned, the lead vocalist does not growl, and the melodic ingredients always deliver an atmospheric element. The configuration of the songs lies precisely in the middle between high sophisticated and primitive. Finally, the well-placed tempo changes contribute dynamic and dramatic vibrations.

In terms of quantity, such a relatively short release might be deemed as questionable, but everybody with a penchant for apocalyptic black metal will enjoy the quality of the EP. I promise that there are no signs of fickleness or laxness, the Belgians know only one direction and stay away from any form of experiment. But fortunately, they also know how their music must sound. The EP has a proper sound, minimally blurred yet aggressive, raw and roughshod. Long story short, this vinyl will not disappoint all freaks who like pure, authentic black metal. Hopefully, the formation breaks out of its EP scheme and publishes a full-length pretty soon.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10