Obscene Eulogy - Defining Hate:  The Truth Undead
2004 Baphomet Records
by Shev

Quick Summary:
"Defining Hate:  The Truth Undead", is the first full length release from the undeservingly lesser known Obscene Eulogy hailing from the land of terrible beer, Canada.  It was a long wait after first experiencing their original MCD "A Portal Into Fire" which was an incredible release, but well worth it as the majority of these songs bring out the best in Mika Luttinen (Impaled Nazarene, The Rocking Dildos) through strong, emotional musicianship courtesy of N. (Hate) and Disease.  Throw in some cameo's from Killjoy (Necrophagia, The Ravenous) and Wilska (Wizzard, Finntroll), and this is turns into a highly praised vocal effort.

The main problem with "Defining Hate:  The Truth Undead" should be obvious...these guys use a drum machine.  Much like "A Portal Into Fire", this only slightly detracts from the music itself as the focus revolves heavily around the vocals, strings, and occasionally, keyboards.  On top of this, the drum machine is of good quality, and only when the musical energy in songs like "Elämälle Kiitos" is toned down does the inhuman mechanical drumming make itself known.  Overall this is a phenomenal black metal release with slight influences of death metal (and even slighter, thrash), focusing not on technical leads and fretboard wankery, but of the overall songwriting process making "Defining Hate" a highly enjoyable tribute to musical horror.

Website:  www.obsceneeulogy.com

Song Summaries:

1. Defining Hate - Oooh...spooky intro.  This is followed by roughly two minutes of sick, pummeling fury lead by Mika Luttinen.  A
2. Jyrsikää Kyrpää - The first 2:19 of this song stick to a gloomy tone with some unearthly keyboards as support with a few explosive breaks here and there to keep things interesting.  After the first part, everything not only slows down more, but also mellows out.  This is used as a build-up until the 3:38 mark when it explodes into a fiery burst of chaos.  Ingenious structure and emotion.  A-
3. Lehmänsilmät - After an exhausting song like "Jyrsikää Kyrpää", it's nice to kick back with some full-force, blast beaten brutality.  The keyboard interlude detracts from this quick burst bringing the overall value down and changing pace, but overall a quality piece.  B
4. Elämälle Kiitos - Lacking the energy of the previous three songs, this comes across as not only filler, but a song that brings to light the fact they use a drum machine.  C
5. Kuolleen Vitun Himo - Man, with a soap opera-like intro like that I was afraid this was going to be a Candlemass cover or something.  Turns out it's just the opposite.  Pretty much has the energy of "Lehmänsilmät" with the creative, break neck structure of "Defining Hate".  Good stuff!  A-
6. Reflection Of The Dead - The first 3:16 of "Reflection Of The Dead" is some impressively amazing, mid-tempo war music.  Unfortunately, this song evolves into a very light, gentile, creepy tone.  On top of this, the lyrics aren't included with the CD.  Downfalls aside, this is still a great song if one ignores the last minute and a half.  B
7. Itsemurhana Ratkaisu - I must have listened to this song a hundred times.  As a matter of fact, I would have had this review finished a lot earlier if it wasn't for this song being so damn magnificent.  Mika heavily distorts his vocals making him sound like Shockwave from The Transformers, which he interjects with his trademark rasps.  This song is all about the speed, raw muscle and violence.  Just as memorable as it is innovative.  A+
8. Helvettiin - Wanna get to the good stuff?  Gotta get past the first 1:33 of boring, droning musical butchery.  Actually, with the exception of some highly impressive guitarwork, the "good stuff" is fairly bland even with Wilska doing the backing vocals.  Especially after listening to a masterpiece like "Itsemurhana Ratkaisu".  C-
9. Mortem Paradise - What starts as some downtrodden, doomy black metal gradually flows into some catchy destruction building-up to a horrifically arcane, keyboard-based outro.  Essentially equal to that of bungee jumping off a crane only to remember you left your cord at home while in mid-air.  Killjoy on vocals is a fantastic way to end out such a quality album.  B+

Average Song Rating:  B+
Overall Album Rating:  A

Also be sure to read:
Obscene Eulogy - A Portal Into Fire by Shev
Bound In Human Flesh - Sick Lust For Revenge Review by Shev
Impaled Nazarene - Nihil by Uncle Meat
The Crown - Deathrace King by Shev (Mika Luttinen guest vocals)
Wurdulak - Ceremony In Flames by Shev