Morbid Angel opened for Pantera when I saw Pantera about a year ago. It was the first time I saw death metal played live. The Morbid Angel drummer was amazing, and I sat there with my jaw on the floor. Seeing this genre performed live gave me a new perspective that I've carried for the last year, that my preconceived notion that death metal is a bunch of talentless musicians that play fast in order to hide their lack of talent. I remember how I got that impression. I listened to Dimmu Borgir, couldn't understand a word, and then read a zine that said they were the best in the genre. I thought, "This is the best?" Good heavens.

However, thanks to seeing Morbid Angel in concert, and being on several death metal label promo lists, it's getting to the point where I can pick out a "good" death metal band from a stack of death metal CDs that all claim they are good. I still don't understand the appeal of this genre, beyond its musicianship, because the Satanic lyrics here don't interest me at all. Rather, I like Nephasth for its musicanship and that's it.

First of all, drummer Mauricio Weimar is one heck of a drummer, maybe the Lars Ulrich or Dave Lombardo of death metal. Fast, furious, but beyond that, he doesn't play the typical blast beat. He alternates between his hi-hat and ride cymbal within seconds, sometimes alternating measures - one measure hi-hat, one measure ride. It's truly amazing drumming. The double-bass work is thundering and alternates between straight sixteenth notes and syncopation, like on "False Pride." It's truly inspiring to listen to Weimar assault his drums.

Second of all, this release actually contains guitar solos, a rarity in the death metal genre. Yet, on the short 2:14 blast that is called "Empty Holy Reaching", guitarists Rafael Barros and Marcos Moura have constructed a gem of death metal.

Third, and finally, I have to come back to the drumming, much like a reviewer is compelled to do when reviewing Rush's Moving Pictures. "Visions Of Fury" is a prime example of what aspiring death musicians should strive to achieve. There is double-bass syncopation, followed by 1-2-3-4 on the snare, followed by quick changes from ride to hi-hat to ride to hi-hat.

In sum, this CD is like a Vinnie Moore or a Joe Stump CD for drummers. The workout you get from trying to keep up with drummer Mauricio Weimar leaves you out of breath. Death metal drummers, learn to air-drum to this CD.

Rating: B+

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