Originally released in 2007 on Siege of Amida Records, The Somatic Defilement helped rush in the "deathcore" movement. Full disclosure: I don't like "deathcore". Hate it. That said, Whitechapel are the top of that genre and have moved on to a more death metal oriented sound. I've always had a soft spot for them, don't know why, don't ask myself why either. As I've stated in other reviews, I am a music fan first, then a death metal fan. And if it catches me, then so be it.
So a reissue of an album that's only six years old seems like a cash in on paper. Something to fulfil a contract, maybe band members need more money for guitar strings and black shirts. I don't know. I will, however endorse this reissue. Complete with a remix/remaster from Mark Lewis (Devil Driver, The Black Dahlia Murder, Daath, etc) these songs hit with so much more punch than before. I even did the side by side test, and the difference is night and day.
From the drum roll intro of the title track, to the screaming guitar intro of 'Fairy Fay', the time and money spent on this was worth it. 'Alone In the Morgue' shines much louder and more clear in the guitar department, highlighting the three guitar lineup. Bends and twists that weren't noticeable in the original really shine through. That goes for all the instruments really, as well as Phil Bozeman's vocals. And I can't forget Mr. Ben Savage's oddball riffs.
I personally can understand all the hatred a band like Whitechapel gets. They took hardcore and death metal and put it in a blender. Death metal purists cried and still cry, foul. For me personally, I'll bite the bullet and say I enjoy Whitechapel on a public medium. They were another band that opened my eyes to the death metal underground. And I still listen to the to this day and will probably continue to. I'm a fan of heavy music and always will be. There's too much hatred in a genre, that was meant for misfits in the first place, to discriminate and say was is or is not acceptable.
Whitechapel took a chance and are innovative in their own right. And this reissue highlights their original idea and makes it sound as it was meant to. Major props to Metal Blade, Whitechapel and Mark Lewis, who I hear slaved over this for awhile, for making this available to fans again, the way it was meant to be heard.
Pick up 'The Somatic Defilement' reissue via Metal Blade on April 16th. If you already own it, I say its worth grabbing this reissue, and i don't fancy reissues much. HAIL!!!
