I have done nothing but tout this as one of the best death metal albums (along with follow up Longing for Death) and have caught some guff for it, to which I say, “Your sister’s ass.” This is a means of dismissal and frustration in the Italian-American culture. This frustration comes from what many people see as the origins of death metal. Sure, we can go back and even use a chalkboard to show how early rock bands like Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath laid down the foundations for present day metal. And this is just an example as there are as many theories as there are “historians.” Atrocity’s Hallucinations was originally released in 1990, a period where many bands like Morbid Angel, Death, Cannibal Corpse, Malevolent Creation, Autopsy, were creating and executing a new style of music not heard before (although we could speak about Slayer, Napalm Death, and all the shitty bands you are miffed that I didn’t include). For some reason, Atrocity’s name never appeared among these heavyweights and most likely because of what they have become – a gothic metal band that continues to put out albums of eighties cover songs. And I still check Amazon periodically to see if their new album is a return to old form (much like the album Willenskraft was in the mid 90s). Sadly, most songs are gothic and soft, but there is always one song that at least has some of that “old tyme” style, nestled right in-between a cover of "True" by Spandau Ballet.

Atrocity’s Hallucinations is an extremely powerful album that laid the foundations for many of the death metal acts that followed. Of course, these days many bands in the straight-ahead death metal style are more refined and add many more elements. However, the basics of this classic style were laid by Atrocity. It says something when an album is re-re-re-released (Nuclear Blast/Roadrunner Records? [R/C?], Nuclear Blast Records, Massacre Records, Napalm Records).

The beauty of Atrocity’s release is its ability to vary in style while all the time staying within the death metal frame. The first track, "Deep In Your Subconscious," begins with a violent rumble of grind and some nice technical work, which happens quite frequently on the album. In retrospect, it may seem shoddy but we have to keep the time frame within mind. This type of chaotic style lead the way for numerous bands who delve into this style. The next track, "Life is a Long and Silent River," (how true is that! Amen!) begins with a lazy bass line and some stop-go style grind. The third track, "Fatal Step," begins with a slow and monstrous riff. The fourth track – no just kidding! My purpose for riding the long and silent river through the tracks is to prove a point; although I refer to the album as classic death metal, it is extremely varied and innovative. Other tracks rip like no other while some slow it down with the use of some keyboards to make you feel sad, like the drug addict that this album is written about. The sound is thick and beefy with clear instrumentation and Alex Krull’s growls and shrieks are excellent. The drumming is innovative, like a poor-man’s Malignancy in the chaotic yet controlled sense, but the “junior high band” sound of the drums can get a bit tedious. However, the loud and “floppy” sound really seem to fit the music well. There are a few nice solos as well, especially the droning and apocalyptic one in "Hold Out (To the End)." Atrocity does this quite a bit and their slower parts are riveting (you like that word – I am getting ready to write music reviews for the New York Times). They have an eerie and sickening feel. The guitar work can be a bit loose but it is the workings of an early sound, the beginnings of the chaotic note-riffing style. The songs weave in and out, giving the title of the album new meaning.

Speaking of the New York Times, here is how I would end this review for their newspaper:

Atrocity paint a fabulous yet pestilent picture of the life of a drug addict and the perils of drug addiction. The lack of the ebullient nature of this music is refreshing, supplemented by Atrocity’s superfluous use of varying guitar riffs. Some may seem the shoddy guitar work as detrimental but others, those with a keen ear for the dismal, will revel in its wall of chaos. Atrocity have created an album that should lay among the greats, cemented in its affinity for the absurd and lack of conservatism.

Ha ha! Blow that out your ditty-bag! I am serious about the drug thing; Atrocity has a strong anti-drug message on this disc and all of the songs are about addiction. Either way, this is an excellent album that I will say should be in all death metal fans’ collection. It has been recently been released again with a bonus disc (The Hunt e.p. and Blue Blood e.p.) which has some cool stuff from their Hallucinations to Willenskraft years and some live tracks. The album I have (Nuclear Blast v.2) has eleven tracks, eight from the album and their Blue Blood seven inch (a raw and rowdy mix of songs from 1989). Other versions have it, some don’t, while some have a ton of live tracks. It is nice to have it here instead of paying $5,000 for it on e-Bay. Top it all off with some legit H.R. Giger cover art and you have a monster album.

To end the review, I will give you an excerpt from the insightful lyrics for "Last Temptation:"

Shuddering night, empty streets, a cat cries
a barking dog, a little girl
on her way to eternity.

In her hand, a plastic bag, one cigarette
To calm down, a sad face
Lost her friend, her hopefulness.

Eyes full of tears, but have no fear, no hope
Senseless life, no escape
Only white powder, which could help.

Wordsworth who? My friends used to rock out hammered, singing “A cat cries!” but that is about it because we could not decipher the rest. Some things to note:

1) Cats can cry but boys don’t.
2) The dog was barking because it was a drug addict.
3) She was on her way to Eternity to spend all her boyfriend’s money on perfume.
4) Germany had a cigarette shortage.
5) Germans put cigarettes in bags.
6) The white powder could help, especially if she had female jock itch.

The song ends: “But who cares? But who cries?” – I do, Atrocity!

Written By: Double Ds