John Sardella

Although many have attempted to classify this album as death metal, progressive metal, or melodic death metal, The Sound of Perseverance transcends metal as a work of art. This album simply cannot be categorized into a specific genre of metal. The sonic projection of this masterpiece is aggressive and powerful, yet it conveys a sentimental touch that pierces directly into the soul. The harsh and abrasive vocals of front man Chuck Schuldiner will certainly push most people away from this album that are not experienced with these types of techniques. However, I believe that this album can be enjoyed, or at least appreciated, by anyone with an open mind. In addition, the musicianship on this album is unparalleled. Every musician on this album brings their all, and the complexities and intricacies of the music cannot be understated. Chuck Schuldiner wanted more from the music with every album. He expanded the horizons of what it meant to be heavy and reinvented himself with each addition to Death’s discography. An album that was never meant to be made, The Sound of Perseverance ironically represents the pinnacle of Chuck’s musical brilliance and ingenuity.