I have been an Asphyx (R.I.P.) fan since the beginning when I first heard their "Enter the Domain" demo back in 1988, and had bought everything they had released since.
"The Rack" was their first offcial album released on Century Media in 1991. Originally Asphyx recorded an album in 1990 entitled "Embrace the Death" for CMFT Productions in the UK, but the label went under and never was unleashed until 1996 when Century Media finally released it.
"The Rack" defines the word Brutality with its chainsaw sounding guitars and sick vocals which sounds like vocalist Martin Van Drunen is being tortured during the recording of this CD. The one thing I like about this album is the raw and primitive sound it has and is not over produced like a lot of other Death Metal bands have nowadays which takes away the brutality of the recording. The guitars sound is definitely unique which other bands try to duplicate, but fail in doing so. If you are a true Death Metal fan this must be added to your collection.
This is definitely one of the most brutal albums in Death Metal history. If you enjoy just plain brutal, barbaric, sadistic, relentless Death Metal than Asphyx is for you.
