Review by Ben for Autopsy - Mental Funeral (1991)

One look at this album and I think you'll know whether it's for you or not. The cover displays an aberration of flesh, teeth and blood. The track listing includes titles such as Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay and Destined to Fester. It's not hard to figure out that you’re in for some ugly, raw death metal. And how beautifully unpleasant it all is! Mental Funeral finds Autopsy taking their already established dirty death metal sound and adding a large dose of apocalyptic, down-tuned doom. The result is a classic album that will either force an evil grin upon your face, or make you run for the shower to clean off the filth. Most likely both!

Chris Reifert is really the centrepiece of this album. His bone crunching drumming is at times chaotic and at other times, perfectly minimal. The riffs are always solid and entertainingly morbid, but his performance really takes them to another level. Add to this the fact that his vocals are fittingly brutal and disgusting, and it becomes apparent how important the guy is. I really enjoy the doom aspect of the album which when combined with Autopsy's oppressive nature, makes for a truly crushing experience. The leads are average at times, but I guess that's what the rest of the music called for. Shiny, pristine solos just wouldn't have done the trick. Highlights for me are Twisted Mass of Burnt Decay, Slaughterday, Robbing the Grave and Dark Crusade.