Symbolic

The album was recorded over six weeks at the end of 1994 at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, produced by Jim Morris. It is the only Death record with guitarist Bobby Koelble and bassist Kelly Conlon, and the second and last with drummer Gene Hoglan. Where the two albums before it pressed on the complexity of metre and structure, this one shifts its weight a long way towards melody. The technique has not gone; a singable line has been laid on top of it, which is the more exact way to put it. The closing "Perennial Quest" has been described again and again as the furthest point of that direction. Relativity negotiated with Roadrunner to get it released, but the contract covered one album only and Schuldiner felt it was not promoted properly. "The Philosopher" and "Lack of Comprehension" from the two previous records had videos; this one got no such support. He had originally meant it to be the last Death album, writing in the band's newsletter that it was a good record to leave people with before he moved on to Control Denied. The running order here is the original's as printed.