Sound: Annotations of an Autopsy are a hard band to pinpoint, and often get pidgeonholed into the 'deathcore' genre bracket. Frankly, anyone that holds the opinion that they're just generic 'chug-chug' stuff needs to hear this album properly. It's seeped in old-skool, gory death metal bile. Slow, almost sludgy riffs give way to short but sweet guitar leads and the vocals squeal and growl surreally. The drumming is also of a very high standard, and overall it is obvious that this band have been listening to death metal for a good number of years. Many complains have been made about the deathcore-related elements to this album - they include the odd gang chant and a few breakdowns - but still manage to sound unique and exciting. The crossover appeal between 'true' detah metal and the hardcore/deathcore scene is obvious. Creepy interlude 'The Childsnatcher' is a particular highlight. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The vocals, as I have already said, are pretty much what you'd expect. Guttural growls and pig squals. The lyrics are very violent indeed, and have attracted much attention ("She bled from every f--king hole", anyone?), and on some songs it does seem like they are trying a little to hard to be overly shocking with their lyrics. The way I see it, they're not the only band that have done this before and frankly, who listens to death metal for the lyrical content? // 7
Impression: Not so much a compromise between the old skool and modern death metal as a complete rocket up the arse for both scenes. AOAA, despite getting alot of stick from ignorant people that brand them as 'scene', have shown with this album that they are a hot prospect for UK death metal and the worldwide scene, and are here to stay. On songs like 'Fisted to the Point of Regurgitation' I feel that they're trying a little too hard, but overall this is a disturbing and unique death metal album that I would (and do) reach for again and again. // 9
