Unquestionable Presence
Unquestionable Presence | ||||
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Studio album by Atheist | ||||
Released | August 30, 1991 | |||
Genre | Technical death metal, progressive metal, jazz fusion | |||
Length |
32:25 (1991 release) 68:32 (2005 release) | |||
Label | Active, Relapse (2005 re-issue), Death Records (division of Metal Blade Records) (1991 original release) | |||
Producer | Scott Burns | |||
Atheist chronology | ||||
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Unquestionable Presence is the second album by the death metal band Atheist. It was released in 1991 and added a new sound by using jazz-like harmonies, subtle Latin rhythms and unusual time signatures.
Album information
It is considered a landmark album in the genre of technical death metal.[1]
Bassist Roger Patterson wrote the bass lines for Unquestionable Presence, but died in a touring van accident before the recording sessions took place. His work, however, can be heard on the pre-production demos included with the 2005 re-release. Tony Choy was brought in as a replacement to play bass on the album.
Reception
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [2] |
- The Wire (p. 53) - "[A] more complex and Progressive album, every song rocketing through multiple tricky time signatures and endless variations on already baffling riffs."[3]
Track listing
- All lyrics by Kelly Shaefer. All music composed by Atheist.
No. | Title | Length | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mother Man" | 4:34 | |
2. | "Unquestionable Presence" | 4:07 | |
3. | "Your Life's Retribution" | 3:17 | |
4. | "Enthralled in Essence" | 3:38 | |
5. | "An Incarnation's Dream" | 4:53 | |
6. | "The Formative Years" | 3:30 | |
7. | "Brains" | 3:41 | |
8. | "And the Psychic Saw" | 4:45 | |
Total length: |
32:25 |
2005 re-release
In 2005, Relapse Records re-released Unquestionable Presence. This edition has been digitally remastered, and features nine bonus tracks.
No. | Title | Length | |
---|---|---|---|
9. | "Enthralled in Essence" (Pre-production Demo 8/90) | 3:32 | |
10. | "The Formative Years" (Pre-production Demo 8/90) | 3:29 | |
11. | "Unquestionable Presence" (Pre-production Demo 8/90) | 3:55 | |
12. | "An Incarnation's Dream" (Pre-production Demo 8/90) | 4:09 | |
13. | "Retribution" (Pre-production Demo 8/90 (Instrumental) | 3:19 | |
14. | "Brains" (Pre-production Demo 8/90 (Instrumental) | 3:40 | |
15. | "Enthralled in Essence" (Demo 1990) | 3:44 | |
16. | "Mother Man" (Demo 1990 (Drums & Bass Tracks) | 4:42 | |
17. | "And the Psychic Saw" (Demo 1990 (Rhythm Tracks) | 4:27 | |
Total length: |
68:32 |
Credits
Line-up
- Kelly Shaefer (vocals, guitar)
- Randy Burkey (guitar)
- Tony Choy (bass)
- Steve Flynn (drums)
- Roger Patterson (bass) (on tracks 9-15 on 2005 re-release)
Recorded at Morrisound, Tampa, Florida in 1991. Produced by Scott Burns and Atheist with special thanks to Tom Morris. Cover artwork by Justice Mitchell.
References
- ↑ Badin, O. (December 2006). Terrorizer #151, "Death Metal: The DM Top 40", page 53.
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ "Atheist - Unquestionable Presence CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
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