Apostate (Fin) - Flight Of The Halcyon (1999)

Genre: (Melodic) Death Metal
Country: Finland
Year: 1999

1. Bewitched by thy Flame
2. Hunger for Blood
3. Flight of the Halcyon
4. Pakkasukko

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

—————————————————————

Here's another band I don't see much around the nets. Started off as Apostate and is now Godskill and still hasn't produced much in the past years, so who knows where this project is right now. So this is me keeping it alive!

As hinted in the genre descriptor, this one's got a melodic fringe to it. It's trying to be death metal, it really is, but what we're left with in the end is Death Metal Lite^TM. That's not to say it's bad, of course!

Not sure the best way to describe the vocals beyond that it sounds as if he's straining like he is going to blow a blood vessel or something. We've also got some mediocre clean vocals thrown in, but it's the guitar work that makes the demo.

"Hunger For Blood" has some incredible tremolo riffing throughout and for the most part, the riffs are pretty damn catchy. It's a shame they're set so far back in the mix, though.

Graveless - Eternal Lies (1999)

Genre: Doom/Death Metal
Country: Norway
Year: 1999

1. Eternal Lies
2. Nothing's Sacred
3. Morbid Visions
4. Tears From the Blind

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

—————————————————————

Wow! This is one hell of a lively and energetic recording, without intending to be! Some of the most emotional vocals saturate the music displayed here, and most likely, the first thing that stands out to the listener is the downright infectious and catchy vocal lines. The way they mesh perfectly with the music and induce foot-tapping is something otherworldly. I haven't had this much fun rocking out to a doomy Death Metal release in a long time. In addition to the harsh vocals are nonchalant, laidback clean vocals first displayed in "Nothing's Sacred" (one of this EP's highlights). They come out of nowhere, but fit so well, I often find myself throwing that short bit toward the latter half on repeat.

The very same melodic tinge is brought pack from the 1994 demo Portrait of Pain, mostly found in the short, but simple riffing style and occasional atmospheric guitar solo. For the most part, relatively upbeat and exciting, just a blast to listen to!

Monasterial Crypt - Stárí (1999)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Czech Republic
Year: 1999

1. Odevzdávání (Intro)
2. Strach
3. Andìl
4. Sklenìné Vìže
5. Sen
6. Podzim a Stárí
7. Hloubka Skrytých Smyslù
8. Holotropie (Bonus)
9. Zapomenuté Bytí (Bonus)
10. Spálená Já (Bonus)
11. Zahrada Radosti a Smutku (Outro)

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

—————————————————————

How should I put this... this is a very, er, persistent release. Not that it's particularly fast-paced (hell, it's doom, yeah?), but the riffing style is sort of Hellenic in that it's very quick and up and down like a roller coaster. Difficult to explain.

The guitars seem to take a back seat in the mix, and as a whole, this album feels a bit thin. Still, that actually works for Monasterial Crypt, as it gives Stárí that detached feel that allows for the listener to "choose their own adventure", marveling over the guitars or vocals. Me? I prefer to find the best in both; I'm just saying it's possible to listen to this album a variety of ways (adding to replay value!).

Two types of vocals are employed: harsh, gurgling male and billowy, female sing-song vocals, both sung gorgeously in Czech, making this album hard to ignore. It continues to grow on me with every listen!

Lethargy - The Dark Embrace of Silence (1999)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Greece
Year: 1999

1. Celestial Tears
2. Spleen In The Morning Mist
3. Where The Wind Whispers Your Name
4. Under A Broken Moon
5. As My Soul Bewails
6. Veils Of Sorrow
7. These Bitter Words

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

—————————————————————

Greece is my new favorite country for music. Such talent coming in such small, unrecognized bursts! This is very melodic in that gorgeous melodies are employed regularly, giving this a very sophisticated and sorrowful sound. Catchy riffing meshes beautifully with both male and female vocals to create an atmospheric and majestic air about it. Moody and depressing in some respects, both harsh and clean vocal styles are utilized, and the operatic singing blends fantastically with the female operatics, complementing each other quite nicely, before dipping into doomy Death Metal chugging with harsh vocals. Great contrast throughout this album, with myriad instruments used, including, but not limited to, synths and flutes! Unique, to say the least, and a very engaging listen! Recommended!

Embalmed Souls - Become Vengeance, Become Wrath (1999)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Brazil
Year: 1999

1. Remember The Past
2. Unholy Warrior
3. Baptized To Suffer
4. Laments Of Divine Agony
5. The Last Moment

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives Rating: 96% (1 review)
Last.fm

—————————————————————

They've done it again! Embalmed Souls are back, with an even darker, heavier demo. The atmosphere these guys create is full of evil malice and dark doom. The whole thing is even heavier than their first offering and actually sounds like downright hellspawn. I'm getting scared listening to this. The vocals seem to be even lower in the mix and less audible, but that's hardly a concern when the instrumental atmosphere has completely taken over. The riffs are creeping and deadly, like they're going to strike at any minute and pull you down into the fiery depths of hell. If I were going to take up a life of pure, unadulterated evil and insane madness, this would be my soundtrack of choice. And just when you thought it couldn't get any more bleak or hopeless, a haunting guitar solo peers out of the darkness, taking control and spinning this hellish world around you. Just give up; there's nothing you can do to escape this music...

...recommended...

Revokation - Reincarnated Souls of Hell (1999)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden
Year: 1999

1. The Old One's Abbey
2. Sacrilegious Copulation
3. Angel's Bane
4. Reincarnated Souls of Hell

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

—————————————————————

The moment you start up the first track, you're gonna fall for this. "The Old One's Abbey" starts will a refreshing and atmospheric riff that paves the way for the rest of the demo. It seems many bands have forgotten the art of the riff, but not these guys. Revokation know how to craft one hell of a riff and deliver song after song for your listening pleasure. A very furious-paced record, with riffs slicing at you every step of the way, sure to satisfy any fan of riff-tastic old school Death Metal.