III

The work of Detroit power trio Death, comprised of brothers Dannis, David, and Bobby Hackney came to light en masse in 2009 when Drag City issued their 1974 recording sessions at the Motor City's famed United Sound studio.

Exceedingly well-written, arranged, and ferociously performed, their songs provided stunning evidence of an all but unknown group of hard rock masters whose group identity was distinct from its better-known peers. The widely acclaimed seven-track record was followed by Spiritual Mental Physical in 2011, a collection of demos and rehearsal tapes cut before those sessions that were never intended for release.

A documentary film, A Band Called Death directed by Mark Christopher Covino and Jeff Howlett, premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2012. Prefaced by the pre-release single "North Street" b/w "We're Gonna Make It," III is the final entry in this project, collecting tracks recorded between 1975 and 1992. It opens with the solo guitar instrumental "Introduction by David" (who passed away from lung cancer in 2000).

When taken together, the tracks on III provide incontrovertible evidence that 15 years after their career ambitions went up the chimney, Death continued not only to make music, but to evolve and grow as a band. Even though this music is less intense, it retains the trio's trademark sound throughout. If you have the other two recordings, you need this one. Period.