Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Dead World - Collusion (1992)

Industrial metal can be quite a hit-and-miss for me, despite my passion in The Sphere clan, whether you find bands from America or Europe or wherever else. There are some project that mix the genre with others, such as deathgrind/hardcore for Meathook Seed. Not a lot of bands can take that mix seriously, like this band, Dead World. Led by art director for Relapse Records, Jonathan Canady, the band's debut album Collusion is basically a collection of 5 industrial metal/death-doom tracks and 5 ambient interludes. They can play something unique yet not working out as much as it should...

In a cyclical monotone attempt at industrial death-doom, they slow down the death metal riffing and rhythm and ditched the bass drums. While the riffing drifts slowly, there's occasional speed in the drive. Something interesting is, Collusion is the band's only one of their albums to have a real drummer instead of a drum machine, which detracts the cold power of industrial metal while packing some small punches into the percussion. The guitar is rough while being brought forward by the bass, the latter not bursting out as much as European industrial metal bands who know one of their signature features. It's quite lose in the reverb that soaks down the growling and percussion. With barely a lot of groove, we have kind of a treacherous result.

Only two tracks work as highlights; one of my favorite songs of this style "El Shaddi Sanctimony" and one of the interludes "Regina Confessorum", the latter having just guitar and bass in a stream of samples. Other than that, Dead World was, in 1992, just in an intermediate level of dark industrial metal, not yet building up to experienced heights. You can consider Collusion a historical blend of genres, but just not worth listening pleasure. Just take my word for this poor sh*t....

Favorites (only songs I like): "El Shaddi Sanctimony", "Regina Confessorum"