The biggest weakness is Rozz's lead work. It tends to be a bit on the laughable side, mainly a bunch of trem bar squealing and obnoxious trills. It's not too much of a problem, as they tend to be short, and frankly a bit amusing even if they aren't exactly enojoyable from a music standpoint. Chuck's leads make up for his deficiency, however. He's nowhere near as proficient as he'd become, but he's still exhibits why he's my favorite lead guitarist. He always has just the right combination of melody and speed, never being too melodic for the musical backdrop, but never zooming off in to tedious squealing, as do many DM lead guitarists.

This has some rather excellent DM production. Still fairly raw, but has just enough definition, and it's still very bulky and thick sounding.(unlike many roughly produced albums) The drum sound is perhaps a bit over the top(I can't imagine a snare drum sounding like that in the real world) but it still works pretty well, giving the album a really great rhythmic punch. You can even hear the bass quite a bit of the time, though it usually isn't doing anything of particular interest.

Every track here is good. They don't have much variety, though most of them have a pretty memorable chorus, so they don't just blur together. The riffwork is very nice, with a good combination a chunky, thrashier riffs with blazing, death metal trem riffs.(which can get tedious if they are overused, which they are not here) It's mostly very fast, though it sticks with thrash styled drumming rather than using blast-beats. Plus Chuck gives what is probably his best vocal performance ever. Very intense with out ever going over the top. The title track gives you a good sense of what's to come, with lightning riffs and a rather ferocious(if simple) drum assault, while still managing to have a memorable chorus and pre-chorus. The next to tracks are both very good, but Left to Die is the next real stand-out, and probably the second best track on the album. The chorus is fantastic, and it has a great middle break, containing what is definitely Chuck's best solo on the album. Next comes the much famed Pull the Plug, and I must say that I think this song deserves it's reputation. I would dare say that it has perhaps the best, most memorable chorus ever heard in a metal song.(certainly the best in thrash or death metal) The song is brilliantly written in it's simplicity. The progression from the slow verses to the sprinting pre-chorus to the absolutely crushing mosh-riff of the chorus works beautifully, all topped off with another cool lead from Schuldiner. Simply a fantastic song. Open Casket is next, and is another good one. It's a bit more progressive and unpredictable than most of the other tracks, and Chuck gives an especially eerie vocal performance.(listen to when he sings, Touch the Fleah, it is so cold.) This is partially offset by the following Rozz-penned Primitive Ways, which is easily the most straight-forward and simple track on the album. It's perhaps the weakest song on the album, and it's still pretty cool. Choke on It reminds is another more progressive piece. A bit slower and less heavy overall, with another great chorus.

All in all, this is another Death classic. Buy it.


A BEGINNING OF DEATH METAL   July 16, 2001
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

'LEPROSY'IS A CLASSIC PIECE OF DEATH METAL HISTORY. WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS "IS"THEIR BEST RELEASE BY FAR. DEATH'S OTHER RELEASES DO NOT COME EVEN CLOSE TO THIS ONE.THIS ONE SURE GETS MY '5'STARS


Excellent release from Death   August 22, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a great metal album. Chuck Shuldiner was a musical genius. If you like speed or thrash metal and you are looking to get into death metal, immediately buy this album. That's the way it happened for me. Anyway, this album is heavy and great. The riffs are similar to Slayer at times, only heavier. The riffs are great. The solos are awesome, and they are in every song. The vocals on this album are great, Chuck is still my favorite Death metal vocalist. He is much better than the guys from Cannibal Corpse or any other death metal band. My favorite songs would have to be "Leprosy", "Pull the Plug", "Primitive Ways" and "Choke On It", but they are all great, and there's no filler. Basically, if you're into thrash/death metal, there is no way you can go wrong with this album. It was sad to hear about Chuck's death, and even though I've only recently discovered Death, I will miss him. R.I.P. Chuck


Pure Metal!   April 2, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Along with Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" and Slayer's "Reign In Blood," this is the most pure form of metal ever. This is metal the way it was meant to be played, and many bands wouldn't be around today were it not for Death. "Leprosy" is an ultra-..., in your face, drive you through the ground sludgefest. Songs like "Born Dead" and "Primitive Ways" just bludgeon you with their raw brutality. Chuck Schuldiner and Rick Rozz are a great guitar duo. The solos are a definite plus and nothing short of impressive, but they are overshadowed by Schuldiner's brutal riffing and raw vocals. The drumming by Bill Andrews is also great, as there's plenty of double bass and cool fills to go around. I can't complain about any of the songs on this CD. They are all amazing, but newbies should immediately check out "Pull The Plug." Many regard it as one of the best Death songs. As for the rest of the CD, it's fast, heavy, and brutal with plenty of great guitar solos and riffs to keep you entertained for a long time. So, if you have a penchant for true metal, pick this up. You will not be disappointed.


CLASSIC ALBUM FROM CHUCKIE & COMPANY   July 14, 2001
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

CHUCKIE & COMPANY GOT IT RIGHT ON THEIR 2ND TRY. CONTAINS SOME OF THE BEST METAL AROUND, WHATEVER LABEL YOU GIVE IT. NOT AS MUDDY SOUNDING AS SOME LATER CDS BY THEM. "PULL THE PLUG" IS AS GOOD OF A SONG AS YOU WILL EVER HEAR BY ANY GROUP. A MUST HAVE.