Unquestionable Presence

Infobox Album |
Name = Unquestionable Presence
Type = studio
Artist = Atheist


Released = August 30, 1991
Recorded =
Genre = Technical death metal
Length = 32:25
Label = Active, Relapse (2005 re-issue), Death Records (division of Metal Blade Records) (1991 original release)
Producer = Scott Burns
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a2x7gj4rj6ib link]
Last album = "Piece of Time"
(1989)
This album = "Unquestionable Presence"
(1991)
Next album = "Elements"
(1993)

"Unquestionable Presence" is the second album by the death metal band Atheist. It was released in 1991 and it added a new and fresh sound by using jazz-like harmonies and unusual time signatures. It is considered a landmark album in the genre of technical death metal. [Badin, O. (December 2006). "Terrorizer" #151, "Death Metal: The DM Top 40", page 53.] Bassist Roger Patterson wrote the bass lines for "Unquestionable Presence", but he was killed in a touring van accident before the recording sessions took place. His work, however, can be heard on the pre-production demos included with the 2005 re-release. Tony Choy was brought in as a replacement to play bass on the album.

Track listing

# "Mother Man" – 4:34
# "Unquestionable Presence" – 4:07
# "Your Life's Retribution" – 3:17
# "Enthralled in Essence" – 3:38
# "An Incarnation's Dream" – 4:53
# "The Formative Years" – 3:30
# "Brains" – 3:41
# "And the Psychic Saw..." – 4:45

2005 Re-release

In 2005, Relapse Records re-released Unquestionable Presence. This edition has been digitally remastered, and features nine bonus tracks.

"Pre-production Demo 8/90" (Featuring Roger Patterson)
#

"Enthralled in Essence" - 3:32
# "The Formative Years" - 3:29
# "Unquestionable Presence" - 3:55
# "An Incarnation's Dream" - 4:09
# "Retribution (Instrumental)" - 3:19
# "Brains (Instrumental)" - 3:40

"Demo 1990" (Featuring Roger Patterson)
#

"Enthralled in Essence" 3:44

Drums & Bass Tracks
#

"Mother Man" - 4:42

Rhythm Tracks
#

"And the Psychic Saw..." - 4:27

Credits

Line-up

*Kelly Shaefer (vocals,guitar)
*Rand Burkey (guitar)
*Tony Choy (bass)
*Steve Flynn (drums)
*Roger Patterson (bass) (on tracks 9-15 on 2005 re-release)

Recorded at Morrisound, Tampa, Florida in 1991. Produced by Scott Burns and Atheist with special thanks to Tom Morris. Cover artwork by Justice Mitchell.

References