Entry 079 - Ulcerate - Everything is Fire

 

Finally... I finally have this album on wax. I've been looking for a copy of this for a reasonable price for many years.

I have a lot of thoughts on this album, but words are really escaping me. Probably should just stick to the facts.

Fact 1: this is one of the most definitive death metal albums I've ever heard. It took me quite some time to get into at first but over time it grew to become one of my all time favorites.

Fact 2: this album influenced my future listening way more than most other albums. Once I got into Everything is fire I couldn't get enough of this style... and now years later it remains one of my favorite ways of consuming metal. The dissonant end of the spectrum has become my go to part of the genre the last 5-10 years and only continues to get more and more listening time. That started here, with this album.

Fact 3: this album redefined what epic mean to me. The title track specifically. When I first heard it, it sounded like a disjointed mess that just strung random riffs/notes together. Now when I hear it I get goose bumps every time... hundreds of listens later - goosebumps still. The riffs, the way that everything builds in to that insane climax towards the end, the tension and release - its nearly a perfect song.

Ulcerate demanded my attention with this one, and while some albums lose their luster over time - others age like fine wine. This is the finest of wines, vintage 2009.