Album Review: Death - Individual Thought Patterns

Death - Individual Thought Patterns

Relativity Records - 1993

8/10

As Death would head into the ‘90s leaning very far into the progressive death realm, their fifth album Individual Thought Patterns would see the full immersion into that style. Being the first of their records to recruit Hoglan on the drums and the second with Digiorgio on bass, it makes sense that the momentum would only continue this way. Here we see no more identification with the first couple albums, alongside a lyrical shift entirely towards life, philosophy, and struggle. Far more in line with the likes of Opeth than that of Obituary, now. 

It should go without saying then that this extends a lot of what made Human seem like such a drastic step. The bass passages and drumlines go all over the place, flexing some serious muscle to back the lead guitars that now focus on tonal shift rather than sheer heaviness. But I must admit, this doesn’t always make for better songwriting. The obvious skill of every musician is on full display, but I think it focuses just a bit too much in showing the playing abilities while neglecting songwriting. I can’t stress enough that a lot of it is still good, but the ability to funnel standout tunes fully through this scope isn’t realized yet.

However, Individual Thought Patterns is still a strong disc that has plenty of noteworthy tracks. The power of a fretless bass (although prog fans exaggerate the hell out of this impact) shows in the bouncy areas of “Jealousy,” a song that also has strength in its chorus. “In Human Form” boasts extremely catchy rhythms that collapse into a frenzy of advanced drumming and jarring shifts in tactic, especially in the solos. The opening of “Trapped In A Corner” is also one of the best lead sequences the band has ever had, so I guess it’s safe to say that things are a little top-heavy on this one.

At the end of the day, if your weakest record is as good as this, then you truly did something right for your entire career. Not a single moment is remotely what I would call bad, but some of these songs teeter on just a little too much for their own good. In comparison with their most masterful work in the way of progressive death metal, Death has yet to fully realize that potential at this point. I understand the appeal this has to many, without a doubt.