Annotations Of An Autopsy – The Reign Of Darkness

Band: Annotations Of An Autopsy
Album: The Reign Of Darkness
Year: 2010
Label: Siege Of Amida Records/Nuclear Blast
Myspace

Best Song: In Snakes I Bathe
Score: 8.5/10
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After a pretty insufficient previous release, Before The Throne Of Infection, I really hoped Annotations Of An Autopsy would create something that was as good as their EP Welcome To Sludge City.

Checking their blogs on Myspace, following their progress in recording the album, my hope was kindled when I noticed they’ve gotten rid of their illegible band logo and replaced it with something… legible. Not that I didn’t like their previous logo (I do like it), but it seems as though it was one of many steps away from the “we are cool”-deathcore attitude. Reading the lyrics of one of their singles, my hope lit up in flames. They got rid of their necrophilic/murderous lyrics! Now I get the feeling that it’s about apocalypse and alien worlds, based on the song titles. Hearing the occasional “you make me sick” shows they include real emotions now, too. Hell, anything’s better than what was.

AOAA have improved a LOT since Before The Throne. Steve have developed a new vocal technique that doesn’t involve the typical deathcore elements with squeals and the usual low growls. They’ve crossed the border to Death Metal, and I really like it. I really, really dig the album artwork, too. It’s the same artist that drew the cover for BTTOI, which was pretty darn nice aswell.

Typical for Death Metal acts is that all bands have the same sound, but AOAA have their own sound, yet the same genre. Death Metal is pretty shallow with not much room for unique-ness, but AOAA managed to find a trench somewhere where they expanded their own approach. Even though they haven’t changed much musically, there must be something about Steve’s vocals that pushed them over the edge to Death Metal.

When I heard BTTOI I felt a little ashamed to wear their merch, to be honest. But now, with The Reign Of Darkness, I gladly wear them. They’ve matured and show a more serious theme in their music. I’m really impressed.

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