Death - Spiritual Healing
1990 Metal Blade

Track Listing:
1.  Living Monstrosity
2.  Altering The Future
3.  Defensive Personalities
4.  Within The Mind
5.  Spiritual Healing
6.  Low Life
7.  Genetic Reconstruction
8.  Killing Spree

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Chuck Schuldiner
Guitars:  Chuck Schuldiner, James Murphy
Bass:  Terry Butler
Drums:  Bill Andrews

Website:  www.emptywords.org

Horatio's Rating:  C
Average Album Rating:  C

Horatio's Review:
Death had progressed impressively from their crude death metal origins circa 'Scream Bloody Gore' and 'Leprosy' and by 1990 were moving in the same territory as stiffs like Obituary.  This isn't to say 'Spiritual Healing' is essential.  In fact, after ten years of owning this CD it might be the first time I've ever sat through the whole thing, and that's proving difficult.  The songs contain speed and bludgeoning riffs, but it's sometimes not enough.  The melody levels are slight and I recall falling asleep to this in 1995 as it failed to maintain my interest levels.  'Killing Spree' is good for a laugh lyric-wise, somehow reminiscent of 80's Sepultura.  Despite being pioneers of the genre, Death fell behind those they helped inspire like Deicide and co, and maybe for good reason.  The only highlight is the band's photo, in which the tightest black jeans and shirts are on view.  Not to mention the bloody haircuts.  Schuldiner must have realized the ship was sinking as he bailed out on the band on the resulting tour.  Otherwise what do you really expect?  In depth descriptions of 'Defensive Personalities', 'Living Monstrosity' and 'Genetic Reconstruction'?
Horatio's Rating:  C

Also be sure to read:
Cancer - Death Shall Rise by Shev (James Murphy)
Obituary - Cause Of Death by Horatio (James Murphy)
Death Metal's Greatest Hits by Horatio