From Beyond (1991) - Massacre

 

From Beyond is one of those death metal debuts that manages to both define and refine a sound, bridging the gap between raw aggression and calculated execution. Released in 1991, this is Florida death metal in its purest, most direct form—uncompromising, riff-driven, and oozing with the kind of horror-fueled atmosphere that pays homage to its roots while establishing its own legacy.

Tracklist:

1. Dawn of Eternity

2. Cryptic Realms

3. Biohazard

4. Chamber of Ages

5. From Beyond

6. Defeat Remains

7. Succubus

8. Symbolic Immortality

9. Corpsegrinder

Though Massacre may often be viewed as a footnote to the larger Florida scene—thanks in part to lineup overlaps with Death and Obituary—From Beyond proves they were far more than a side project. The band features Kam Lee on vocals, whose influence on death metal vocal delivery cannot be overstated. His guttural, swampy roars are some of the genre’s earliest and most iconic.

Opening with Dawn of Eternity, the album doesn't ease you in—it pummels with cavernous guitar tone and primal drum patterns that feel almost prehistoric in their blunt force. Rick Rozz’s trademark whammy-heavy guitar solos—equal parts chaos and character—are instantly recognizable and give the album a feral identity.

Tracks like Cryptic Realms and Chamber of Ages lean heavily on Bolt Thrower-style chug riffs but with more speed and unpredictability. Biohazard is one of the most menacing cuts here, fusing tremolo picking with punkish energy and a vocal performance that teeters on the edge of mania.

Succubus and Symbolic Immortality show the band’s tendency to ride a groove into oblivion—fascinating in its simplicity, hypnotic in its repetition. The final track Corpsegrinder—yes, the one that lent George Fisher his nickname—is a re-recording from the band’s earlier days, a throwback to when they were even more raw and thrashy, yet still menacing.

The production by Scott Burns at Morrisound gives the record that unmistakable 1991 sound—muddy, murky, but focused. It's neither overly polished nor too lo-fi, allowing the meatiness of the riffs and the deep growls to hit with their full force.

From Beyond is essential for fans of early Death, Autopsy, Obituary, and Morbid Angel. It's a record that bleeds old-school attitude, grim atmosphere, and straightforward songwriting. While Massacre never quite reached the heights of their Florida peers in terms of innovation, this debut stands as one of the most perfectly formed examples of early '90s American death metal—a true monument to the genre's most vital era.