Piece of Time is the debut album by American technical death metal band Atheist, recorded in 1988 and released on August 30, 1989. But it was not released internationally until 1990. This was because the label that Atheist had initially signed with, Mean Machine Records, was going bankrupt, and the band had to search for another label. They eventually signed with UK label Active Records, who released their album in Europe soon after. The album was not released in the US for another six months, until Metal Blade Records finally arranged a licensing deal with Active Records and released it to the American market in November 1990. Piece of Time is the only Atheist album to feature bassist Roger Patterson, although he wrote much of the bass on Unquestionable Presence.
Reception
In 2005, Piece of Time was ranked number 402 in Rock Hard magazine's book The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.[4] It was described by James Hinchliffe in Terrorizer as the band's "least technically accomplished release and their most lyrically immature, [yet] it remains an exceptional work of late 80s deaththrash, crackling with an uncommon energy and creativity".[1]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Kelly Shaefer
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
1.
"Piece of Time"
Kelly Shaefer, Rand Burkey, Roger Patterson, Steve Flynn
4:30
2.
"Unholy War"
Shaefer, Patterson, Flynn
2:19
3.
"Room with a View"
Shaefer, Burkey, Patterson, Flynn
4:06
4.
"On They Slay"
Shaefer
3:39
5.
"Beyond"
Shaefer, Patterson, Flynn
3:00
6.
"I Deny"
Shaefer, Burkey, Patterson, Flynn
4:01
7.
"Why Bother?"
Shaefer, Patterson, Flynn
2:55
8.
"Life"
Shaefer, Flynn, Patterson
3:09
9.
"No Truth"
Shaefer, Burkey, Patterson, Flynn
4:30
Total length:
32:10
2002 Re-release
In 2002, EMG Entertainment re-released Piece of Time. Originally, EMG Entertainment was supposed to reissue all three Atheist albums, but Kelly Shaefer aborted those plans after only Piece of Time had been reissued. This release has been digitally remastered, and features six bonus tracks.
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Piece of Time"
4:30
2.
"Unholy War"
2:19
3.
"Room with a View"
4:06
4.
"On They Slay"
3:39
5.
"Beyond"
3:00
6.
"I Deny"
4:01
7.
"Why Bother?"
2:55
8.
"Life"
3:09
9.
"No Truth"
4:30
10.
"Undefiled Wisdom" (On They Slay demo)
4:30
11.
"Brain Damage" (On They Slay demo)
4:50
12.
"On They Slay" (On They Slay demo)
4:06
13.
"Hell Hath No Mercy" (Hell Hath No Mercy demo)
2:59
14.
"Choose Your Death" (Hell Hath No Mercy demo)
3:18
15.
"No Truth" (Hell Hath No Mercy demo)
4:11
Total length:
56:05
2005 Re-release
In 2005, Relapse Records re-released Piece of Time, this time along with the rest of Atheist's catalogue. This release was also digitally remastered, and features nine bonus tracks.
