The Prestige by Illdisposed
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Release date : March 2008
Reviewed by Eric Stephens
Background information
Review
Background information
In late August 2007, it was announced that Denmark's Illdisposed had inked a three album record contract with AFM Records. With longtime producer Ziggy at the helm, recordings were completed by late November. During early December, Fredrik Nordström mixed the album at Gothenburg, Sweden's Studio Fredman with the aid of guitarist Jakob “Batten” Hansen, and vocalist Bo Summer. Both those musicians figure amongst the album's lineup, and so do guitarist Franz “Hellboss” Gottschalk, bassist Jonas “Kloge” Mikkelson, and drummer Thomas Jensen. To handle the record's cover artwork, Mattias Norén was recruited. Lyrical topics reportedly include sexual submission and religious fanatics, as well as the every day relationship.
On February 8th 2008 at Voxhall in Århus, Denmark, Illdisposed performed at Royal Metal Fest. Midway into the month, the track “Like Cancer” was made available for streaming via the group's official MySpace page. In early March, “Weak Is Your God” surfaced via the same page.
Review
Illdisposed initially grouped in 1991, though never vanished into obscurity. As the years gradually unfolded, the outfit evolved into a potent act. In actuality, The Prestige marks a return towards Illdisposed's Nordic Death Metal roots. During one specific period, the group opted to utilize samples, and attempted clean vocalizations even. From its initial beginnings to its closing moments however, The Prestige is both a heavy and brutal affair. Growling “let fucking go”, The Prestige begins, leaving the listener's human senses at the very mercy of Illdisposed. A genuine master at his chosen trade, Summer possesses a broad range and style which encompasses sonics from the likes of Today is the Day, and Cannibal Corpse. In most instances, both Hansen and Gottschalk collectively execute heavy laden speed riffs, yet a lightning solo materialises at lone junctures. Two genuinely respectable cuts, both “She Knows” and “A Child is Missing” exhibit Illdisposed's melodic facet. Essentially, melodic Thrash binds against Death Metal, cementing a brutality which could be too immoderate for some to wholly fathom. Summer's dark Death growls momentarily aside, Summer unleashes several cryptic Death screams during “Ich Bin Verloren in Berlin”'s inaugural moments, transmitting shivers through the spines of all. Without bassist Mikkelson, numbers such as “The Tension” and “Weak is Your God” would never reach towards blackened depths. Jensen maintains a steady beat, and that beat approaches such a pace that the notion to form a pit is instilled. A thrilling journey, only Illdisposed's live performance can surpass The Prestige.
Being truthful, few recordings surpass that of Nordic Death Metal origin, or Danish origin even, and The Prestige is a great full length. A magnificent vocalist, Summer mouths somewhat frightening intonations. Summer firmly maintains discipline, and heightens his vocal range at the correct junctures, appropriately complimenting the album's musical stylings. Why Illdisposed has never been a label's priority is baffling. Boasting Death Metal's expedient ingredients, The Prestige additionally incorporates Thrash, and melody, not to mention pounding riffs and beats. Should The Prestige's brutality materialize during live performances, then this would explain Illdisposed's catalogue of gig cancellations. Perhaps the human senses cannot handle such Death Metal stylings, though can you?
