Perception Blur
Viogression
As everyone knows, compilation albums are used for two main goals: a compilation of the best songs of the band (that can include new material); or to canonize a band's musical work, giving access to some material that is hard to find (demos, EPs, unreleased songs, and stuff like these). On the last years, the second goal is being evident, bringing back to life materials that just a few heard. That's the case of "Perception Blur", this compilation of older material of the North American quintet VIOGRESSION.
The band was formed on 1989, and has strong influence from names of the past as DEATH, MASTER and POSSESSED, and bits from Thrash Metal (what was extremely usual on those times), so their work could be compared to the pioneers of the Death Metal invasion of the beginning of the 90's. It's obvious that the album bear songs that today sound moldy and outdated, but what could anyone expect from songs dated (and recorded) in 1990? So, for those that are researches of Death Metal history, it's a very good release, because their work wasn't so usual back then (hear "Victim of Delusion" and see for yourself); but for a fan that wants something different from the usual, maybe can be a deception (besides the band's work is good).
The original recordings, as said above, were release in 1990, what means something really outdated for some. But even in this way, the things can be understood, although sometimes the instrumental tunes are extremely nasty (as on the songs of "Apocalypse" and "Disaster" demos), what means that even on its earlier stages, they never opened hand of a good sound quality.
The band had an amazing potential back then, with clear influences from "Leprosy" and "Seven Churches", and "Execution", "Survival Denial", "Thirst for Blood" (from "Perception Blur" Demo), "Bare Wounds" (what great tempo changes and cleaner vocals), "Thirst for Blood" (from "Apocalypse" Demo), and the instrumental song "Victim of Delusion" are very good songs that show a promising name back on those times, a band that could have sided with CANNIBAL CORPSE, DEICIDE, OBITUARY and MORBID ANGEL. And as a bonus, there is "Feast from Within", coming from the recordings of a rehearsal tape of August 1988 (it's raw in a way that isn't allowed today, but was the usual on those days). All of them are worthy of the money used to pay for this release. And there are historical info, lyrics and photos courtesy of original drummer Jef Jager on this CD.
Love it or hate it, "Perception Blur" is here to remind the fans what was the scene back on the end of the 80's and beginning of the 90's, so give VIOGRESSION a chance to erode your years and necks!
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Perception Blur" Track-listing:
1. Execution [Execution Demo]
2. Fleshlords [Execution Demo]
3. Nothing (Psychosomatic Insanity) [Execution Demo]
4. Survival Denial [Execution Demo]
5. Perception Blur [Perception Blur Demo]
6. Thirst for Blood [Perception Blur Demo]
7. Bare Wounds [Perception Blur Demo]
8. Cryonic Death [Perception Blur Demo]
9. Xglbtts [Perception Blur Demo]
10. Thirst for Blood [Apocalypse Demo]
11. Cryonic Death / Xglbtts [Apocalypse Demo]
12. Victim of Delusion [Disaster Demo]
13. Feast from Within [Rehearsal Tape August 1988]
Viogression Lineup:
Brian DeNeffe - Vocals
Matt Holtz - Guitars
Kevin Joel Koski - Guitars
Jason Hellman - Bass
Duane Timlin - Drums
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