Deliverance (Corrosion of Conformity album) explained

Deliverance
Type:	Album
Artist:	Corrosion of Conformity
Cover:	Deliverance_(COC_album).jpg
Recorded:	1993–1994
Length:	54:24
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	John Custer
Prev Title:	Blind
Prev Year:	1991
Next Title:	Wiseblood
Next Year:	1996

Deliverance is the fourth album by Corrosion of Conformity, and the first on which Pepper Keenan was lead singer. It was also their first recording on Columbia Records. Kerrang! described Deliverance as a "true 90s classic".^[1] The song "Mano de Mono" is heard in the movie The Fan. The song "Albatross" is playable in the video game and Guitar Hero Live.

In 2014, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Deliverance at #31 on their list of the best rock albums of 1994.^[2] It was certified gold by the RIAA in 2023 for selling over 500,000 units in the United States.

Reception

Deliverance received a positive review from AllMusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia, who gave the album four stars out of five, and stated, "With guitarist Pepper Keenan now at the helm as lead singer and principal songwriter, COC abandoned most of the punk influences of their crossover past and turned into a full-fledged Sabbath-inspired metal band with 1994's Deliverance." Rivadavia claimed that the songs on Deliverance are "built on monolithic power chords which range from ferocious speed on 'Heaven's Not Overflowing' and 'Senor Limpio' to slower, groovier numbers such as "Broken Man" and leadoff single 'Albatross.' Second single 'Clean My Wounds' also struck gold at rock radio with its staccato riffing, and 'Seven Days' adds eerie guitar melodies to the mix."

Deliverance was Corrosion of Conformity's first album to enter the Billboard 200 chart; it peaked at number 155, making it their fourth highest-charting album to date.^[3] It also peaked at number five on the Heatseekers chart.^[4] Both "Albatross" and "Clean My Wounds" peaked at number 19 on the Mainstream Rock chart, making them the highest initial charting single in Corrosion of Conformity's career.^[5]

Personnel

Corrosion of Conformity

• Pepper Keenan – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars
• Woody Weatherman – lead and rhythm guitars
• Mike Dean – bass guitar, lead vocals on "Deliverance"
• Reed Mullin – drums, backing vocals

Additional personnel

• Bruce Smith – pedal steel guitar on "Shelter"

Production

• Arranged by Corrosion of Conformity
• Produced by John Custer
• Engineered by Jeff Tomei, Mark Richardson and John Custer, with assistance by Danny Kadar and D. E. G. S.
• Mixed by John Custer (tracks 4, 7, 9, 11 and 13), Richard Mouser (track 6 and additional mixing on track 10) and Toby Wright (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14)
• Mastered by Bob Ludwig

Chart positions

Album

Singles

Song	Chart (1994)	Position
"Albatross"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	19
"Clean My Wounds"		19

Notes and References

1. Web site: August 27, 2014. Seminal Albums By CORROSION OF CONFORMITY To Be Reissued On Vinyl. November 2, 2020. BLABBERMOUTH.NET.
2. Web site: Rolling Stone ranks best rock albums of 1994: Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Neil Young, more. April 18, 2014.
3. Corrosion of Conformity Billboard 200 Chart History. Billboard. July 22, 2018.
4. Web site: Corrosion of Conformity - Awards . January 29, 2013 . Allmusic.com.
5. Web site: Deliverance - Corrosion of Conformity - Awards . January 29, 2013 . Allmusic.com.