Death (2) – The Sound Of Perseverance

Don't let the identical DR numbers fool you, this mastering is MUCH less fatiguing and has better bass & drum clarity. On this version, cymbals crash and drums reverberate, keeping the RMS high, but it's just because it's a loud album. On the 2011, they boosted the (very bright) guitars to the point of clipping, and at the expense of the rhythm section. The actual difference in volume & fatigue is not at all subtle. The 2011 rings in your ears like one of those youth deterrent devices. I've been listening to it since I was 15 and I will never listen to it again now that I have this.

There's also a new-to-me vocal echo effect on the titular lyric of "Bite the Pain" which is missing on the 2011 and sounds way cooler (I always thought that part of the song was missing something).

Wow, this right here, Death's final album, The Sound Of Perseverance, just might be my favorite, and their best. The solos are ridiculous. The song structures are pure art genius. I love this album, but I need to listen to it another 10-20 times before I can come close to truly reviewing it. Chuck's voice is shot by now, but we can deal with that, with music this mature and so finely, richly crafted. They cover the great Judas Priest, with the crushing, intricate PainKiller (which fits right into this album and its themes).
One final note: this album is lyrically exceptional. Chuck has risen to the occasion, and climbed to the heights of philosophical quandaries, out of the most of gore and horror. It's also haunting, as this is Death's final album, and front man, Chuck Schuldiner soon after this recording, died of some form of brain cancer (or some similar terminal disease). It feels like he's speaking to us from beyond the grave, and it gives these, his final words, so much more weight and meaning. This album is the culmination of all Death stood for, and sought to achieve. This last album, this dying testimonial, from the lyrics, to the song structures and emotional solos, to the interpretive cover artwork, it all adds up and culminates in Chuck and Co.'s final word on the enigma of Death. Death is the backdrop, by which every thing and every one measured and brought into view, in relation to and/or retaliation against and/or ultimately accepted of and by. This is Death. And within and without, strives life.
Like I said, this is now probably my favorite Death album. It was formerly Leprosy. I just need some more time with this album, and I'm sure my regard and love will blossom and grow. I encourage all you 'heads out there to do the same!

Is it possible at all that this album didn't have an original release in North America in 1998? I can see no such entry, and honestly it's quite baffling. I am based on the other side of the Atlantic, so for 20+ years now, I've come across only European editions.

Could anybody from the USA or Canada comment on this maybe?

Cheers!

Hey guys, I read everywhere that the Remaster LPs sound bad. Which versions should I buy regarding sound? greeting