Perfection of Putrefaction – 100%
Edicied, March 12th, 2025
Written based on this version: 2004, CD, Willowtip Records (Remastered)
It’s always difficult to determine which record is perfect in death metal because the genre boasts so many outstanding releases. However, one of my top choices for near-perfection is Necrophagist’s debut album, Onset of Putrefaction. On this album, Muhammed Suiçmez essentially created a new subgenre within death metal—a style that is both brutally aggressive and highly technical and progressive. This album should be considered the “Old Testament” of technical death metal, with Epitaph serving as its “New Testament.”
Before delving into the musical brilliance Muhammed showcases here, let’s first talk about him. This album was recorded entirely by Muhammed alone. All the lyrics, vocals, guitars, bass, and drums were composed and performed by him, making this album truly stand out. While there are many top-tier death metal albums, very few are solo efforts. It’s worth noting that the album first emerged in 1998, with the drums re-recorded for the 2004 release. In the original version, Muhammed used a drum machine, as technical death metal was still a largely fictional concept at the time. Although a few artists had incorporated progressive elements, none had pushed the boundaries of technicality to this extent. From the very first second, this album showcases an almost inhuman style of guitar playing. It’s an experience from start to finish, and no matter how many years pass, whenever I return to Necrophagist, it feels as fresh as the first time. The music is incredibly complex, and with each listen, you might notice entirely different riffs that you hadn’t paid attention to before. Every song is packed with some of the sharpest and most intricate riffs ever written. I can’t even imagine how these songs were recorded on guitar—so fast, so sinister, and so technically proficient—especially by a self-taught musician. Muhammed is, without a doubt, a living guitar genius.
Two songs stand out for me in particular. The first is “Advanced Corpse Tumor.” It begins with classic death metal riffage that quickly transforms into technical madness. This track isn’t for those unfamiliar with death metal, as it’s extremely challenging to follow the rapid, relentless riffs. The vocals also amazed me because, in death metal—and especially in technical death metal—it’s rare to find someone who can excel as a composer, a shredder, and a vocalist simultaneously. For Muhammed, however, every challenge in metal seems exciting. In this song, he demonstrates that in just five minutes, you can combine everything I’ve mentioned—brutal riffs, technical precision, and an astonishing solo—followed by even more shredding. With this track, Muhammed essentially taught the world how to play technical death metal in five minutes. My second pick is “Fermented Offal Discharge,” which features one of the most jaw-dropping solos not only in death metal but in music as a whole. When I first heard it, I couldn’t believe what I was listening to. Back in the day, I had this song on repeat for months, and even now, as we approach the album’s 30-year anniversary, it remains as powerful as it was the first time. It’s pure magic. The rest of the songs are all top-tier as well none of them are fillers. Each track is a complex piece of death metal that highlights Muhammed’s guitar techniques and vocal abilities.
Onset of Putrefaction sets the standard for death metal, particularly for technical death metal. Here we are in 2025, still waiting for any band to surpass Muhammed. Yes, there have been many Necrophagist imitators—some adding more progressive elements, others emphasizing gore or brutality—but no one has achieved the level of musicianship Muhammed displayed on this album. The only person who could potentially outdo this record is Muhammed himself. Hopefully, he’ll find the time and inspiration to record and release another album in the future.
This album is perfection in every aspect and will forever remain one of the greatest releases in the genre. It’s worth checking out for every human being.
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