AMG Review of Lifeless Design

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

There was a time when if you dared to merge an Iron Maiden-esque dual guitar harmony with barking hardcore vocals, you'd be severely scolded from the nearest mosh pit. But the tides had certainly turned by the early 21st century, when bands that grew up on both musical styles (which back in the '80s, were about as polar opposite worlds as you could get) began making waves. Case in point, Iscariot, and their 2006 debut effort, Lifeless Design. Singer Derrick Harding has obviously studied both Phil Anselmo and also the leading death metal growlers, as he alternates between both throughout the album's ten tracks (especially on the album opener, "The Gates of the Flames"). On the other hand, Iscariot's music is equal parts death metal and prog metal -- tricky tempos and technically complex bits abound throughout. While there are indeed other outfits that mine similar terrain (Lamb of God, Unearth, etc.), it's not like this style is aiming for the top of the album charts. It's obviously all about the love of metal for the members of Iscariot, and for that, we salute you!