Don't know how i missed this. But no way dude, they were actually steering towards a far different(more progressive) direction. They're one of the original technical death metal bands, but they never played "tech-death" ... which was basically introduced to us in 98 by Necrophagist, the same year Death's last+most progressive album(TSoP) was released. Aside from the fact that his death metal was also highly technical(in a completely different way), they shared just about nothing else with the "tech-death" bands of today. You should try giving his last few albums a shot, not gonna be what you're expecting.
I love both bands.
For whatever its worth, I was raised on Death at the start of my metal journey. One of my favorite DVD's throughout all of high school was Death: Live in LA (At the Whiskey). Which has a lot of SoP shit on it. Still have it actually, and love the fact its filmed in Black and White too.
But that was when I did not know any better. Then got introduced to their earlier material, and other bands that kept it real and was like..."FUCK...They fucked up."
Sound of Perseverance was a more progressive step than any of their other albums, how can you say its not? The only thing that stuck out to me with SoP was Chuck's leads on some songs. Some of those solos blew my mind when I was a kid, trippin on mushrooms and just getting into metal. Death used to be one of my favorite bands, but I blasted them so fucking much that it grew stale and honestly, if it wasnt for these forums I wouldnt have recently put them back on my iPod and started back listening to em again.
Another thing thats relevant to bring up as to why I did not like the direction they were heading was its too wanky for my tastes now dude. Too wanky and too technical. I fucking hate that shit, but I used to be into all sorts of bullshit like that because I thought it was cool, but it got stale real quick.
Theres no arguing its their weakest album, and it really is the only thing we have to say, "Well, this mustve been the direction Death was heading..." Obviously none of us know because they never got the opportunity, just a clue and evidence of what was last put out.
Basically, you either like the change or you dont. I was too young to know the difference, and when I finally realized it, I realized I was a young kid who didnt have his tastes fully developed. I respect the hell outta the guy. But hes in the same boat as Dimebag, people worship him like a fucking God, and hes not. In fact, it makes me not want to listen to their shit, and havnt for so long because I dont want to be a associated as a Chuck Schuldiner/Death fanboi because hes not worthy of such masturbatory praise.