83. Fallujah - "Empyrean"

Modern Death Metal has taken two distinct paths. Those who have rammed up the brutality and simplicity, looking to strip it down to its primal vicious core; and those who have used musical technicality to build on its foundation. Fallujah are very very much in the second camp and essentially Empyrean sounds like what would have happened if Steve Vai had joined Cannibal Corpse. It is heavy and it is aggressive BUT the guitar work is intricate and utterly divine. The speed and dexterity is utterly astonishing and perfectly juxtaposes the gruff vocals and pounding drums. This is Death Metal with high production values and high level of musical proficiency.