It's odd that George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, vocalist for the world's biggest death metal band, Cannibal Corpse, and pioneer of the "helicopter hair" headbanging technique, would come home from his day job…and do more death metal. His neck muscles must be fearsome indeed. In Paths of Possession, his melodic death metal band, Fisher explores non-gore subject matter, like blasphemy, the apocalypse, and other cheery topics.
It's also odd that he's done this project for so long, as it's a decided notch below his day gig. Path of Possession's debut, 2002's Legacy in Ashes, had weak Swedish melodeath riffs and little drama. Follow-up Promises in Blood improved a bit, reworking some songs from Legacy, tightening up performances, and adding harmonic color. Still, it was a far cry from the 'Corpse, who are improbably growing more bloodthirsty in their old age.
The End of the Hour may finally earn respectability for Paths of Possession. It's a sturdy little record with precise performances, no doubt whipped into shape by producer/drill sergeant Erik Rutan. Like before, the drumming is fairly sterile and lifeless. The bass work, though, is fluid, with warm and full tones. Given such a basic foundation, Fisher turns in a basic performance. He's one of death metal's more understandable vocalists; the ironic result of a milder backing cast is that his vocals stand out more clearly than ever.
Rutan's punchy production gives the guitars ample girth. In turn, the six-string work has improved enormously. Swedish melodeath-isms are mostly gone. The riffing is more sophisticated and proggy (think mid-career Death), with greater variation in attack. The melodies of "Poisoned Promise Land" are downright deep, while the swaggering title track has the first memorable Paths of Possession riff ever. Fisher shouldn't quit his day job just yet, but his night gig is starting to pay off.
6.5/10
