Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Requiem Aeternam
Title
Philosopher
Type
LP/EP
Company
ICorp Records
YOR
2005
Style
Death
3/9/2005 - Review by: Timmy D
Requiem Aeternam - Philosopher - 2005 - ICorp America

Track Listing
1. Rectitude
2. Wisdom
3. Liberty
4. Logos
5. Antichrist
6. Desperation
7. Philosopher
8. Untitled
I keep feeling like hindsight is going to bite me in the ass here. What we have is one odd duck of an album; a pretty unique splicing of off-kilter, Voivodian song structures, crossed with somber, somewhat prosaic passages reminiscent of Agalloch or mid period Opeth. Sounds pretty awesome on paper, doesn't it? Too bad it isn't that simple!

In actuality, "Philosopher" is a pretty ambitious, yet somewhat flawed work. To me, the problem lies in the conceptual, not in the execution. To give credit where credit is due, these guys are phenomenal musicians. Not to downplay the guitarist, but in particular, the rhythm section is like clockwork, just dead on, all the time. The bassist is just a monster; his basslines are hard-hitting and inventive, and his tone is to die for - evocative of Yes's Chris Squire's mid-rangy punch. Also featured is Alex Hernandez on drums, fresh from his departure from Immolation. While his talent will be missed in Immolation, it's a treat to hear him expand his abilities outside the context of death metal. (FYI, Immolation is truly THE Death Metal band for the discriminating metal head. Do yourself a favor and check them out if you haven't already)

It is also important to note that the production on this album is stellar. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that this is one of the best sounding recordings I've heard in a long time. I think what I like the most about it is that it doesn't have the sonic fingerprints of some trendy, "metal-producer-of-the-moment" smeared all over it. It's just a clear representation of the music, elegant due to its simplicity and clarity. I guess my main problem with this album is that Requiem Aeternam suffers from what I'll call the "hybrid metal band syndrome". You probably already know what sort of band I'm talking about - in a misguided attempted at diversity, band X throws every stylistic element but the proverbial kitchen sink into their musical stew. I will admit, there are some bands that do this well, so I'm not completely running down this songwriting approach. However, a lot of bands use this method as a shortcut to creativity, trying to be all things to all people all of the time. Also, not every riff you write is going to be gold, and these bands I'm referring to all need to learn the discipline of self-editing.

Who knows? This may be an album ahead of its time, and a couple months down the road, I'll be digging this with a spoon. However, in order for Requiem Aeternam to become the true powerhouse that I believe they have the potential to be, they need to learn a bit about restraint in order to capitalize on their strengths.


--Timmy D. 03.08.05

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: REQUIEM AETERNAM
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Philosopher
2005
ICorp Records
Timmy D3/9/2005
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