Death's "Human": The Fusion Connection

With the re-release of Death's seminal "Human" right around the corner, it's interesting to look back and examine what REALLY made this album stand out.  What was it about Death that set them apart from their Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse peers at this time in 1991?  I believe the answer lies solely on the shoulders of drummer extraordinaire Sean Reinert. 

Looking at the liner notes of Death's "Human", we see the thank you's of Death main man Chuck Schuldiner and Steve Digiorgio (killer, killer bassist of Sadus).  Nothing really out of the ordinary.  Next we examine the thank you's of Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert (both on "loan" at the time from legendary progressive metalers Cynic).  Now, to the untrained eye nothing seems unusual.  But, to someone with a slightly keener eye and a somewhat broader pallet of musical taste, we see some very interesting names. 

Vinnie Colaiuta.  Allan Holdsworth.  Tony Williams.  Jimmy Johnson.  Gary Husband.  All are thanked by Paul and Sean for providing inspiration.  All are giants in the realm of jazz and fusion music (I would say mostly at the "fusion" end of the spectrum.  These players, save Tony Williams, didn't really become famous for their straight-ahead jazz playing).  Sure, we can hear a bit of Allan Holdsworth in Paul's soloing, but we can really, really hear the Vinnie Colaiuta and Gary Husband in Sean Reinert.  Listen to Sean's skittering ghost notes (a note played to be more felt than actually heard) during the intro of "Flattening of Emotions".  I don't believe anyone else was using ghost notes to this degree in death metal at the time.  Sean's cymbal work throughout the course of the album was extremely original and highly dynamic.  I would hasten to say that Sean set the standard, approach, and sound for future Death drummers Gene Hoglan and Richard Christy (both amazing players).  And in doing so, seriously revolutionized extreme metal drumming.

For it's time, and even to this day, it is death metal of the highest order.  It's rhythmic feel and flow are still remarkably original thanks to Sean Reinert's strong fusion influence on the album (and also thanks to Chuck Schuldiner's song writing abilities and open mind.  What if he didn't welcome and embrace the jazzy flow?).  "Human" remains possibly Death's most pivotal album.  Death with finesse.