DEATH – INIDIVDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS

Being such an influential band on not only death metal but metal in general every single one of Death’s records are masterpiece’s. However none are for the same reason, which is the very reason they are so lauded. Often overlooked behind the colossal Symbolic is the tech fest that is Individual Thought Patterns.

With the first and only album to feature the great Andy LaRocque of King Diamond fame on lead guitar along with the mastermind behind the band Chuck Schuldiner the first for Gene Hoglan and second outing for the legendary five stringed rhythms of Steve DiGiorgio Inidividual Thought Patterns is an album that is a vast as it is compact. Instead of the sprawling seven minute tracks that would follow on Death’s most progressive era Individual Thought Patterns was chock full of fantastic elements leaning towards more progressive heights but would always keep well within the four minute mark. The musical acrobatics that would occur throughout the songs, even with Schuldiner’s voice was extremely experimental “In Human Form” being a prime example of the stop start style that the album employed. Along with the now classic lead lines of “Trapped In A Corner” and of course “The Philosopher“. Making sure that rhythm was ever present throughout in “Mentally Blind” and the ethereal “Out Of Touch“.

The true genius of Individual Thought Patterns though was the seamless ways in which a song would start and by the end of the song you would be hearing a completely different sound. The equivalent of falling asleep and missing your stop but instead of being frustrated you do it all over again to try and see how the genius of the song writing lead you into such a different path that you so gratifyingly took. I would argue in terms of sheer instrumental ability Individual Thought Patterns is definitely up there as being one of the most technical releases in Death’s discography. A perfect snapshot of the short lived band that appeared just as quick and disappeared all too soon.