Gilgamesh - Demo 1 '95 (1995)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Mexico
Year: 1995

1. Narcolepsia
2. El Exilio
3. Plegaria
4. Ruptura

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Mexico's first all-female Death Metal band, Gilgamesh made a tiny splash back in 1995 with their release of a lone four-track demo. I'm not quite sure what direction these guys girls are heading, but it's somewhere between the two extremes of doom and grind. Often times, the listener is subject to painfully slow, entrancing riffing, while others we're hit with a nonstop barrage of feminine brutality. The riffing is very well done and distinctly prominent, giving this demo a unique edge (quite literally!) making it a short, but enjoyable listen all around. If I didn't know a chick was doing the vocals, I would have thought they were the gutturals of a male vocalist. This demo is ridiculously heavy and hard-hitting for a trio of women, and it's a shame they weren't able to put out more material! Sure, we've got Oxidised Razor, but they kinda suck, so...

Demented Ted - Promises Impure (1993)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 1993

1. Existence Lies Beneath
2. Despair
3. Psychopathology
4. Incisions
5. Liquid Remains
6. Geneticide
7. Between Two Eternities
8. Forgotten

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Metal Archives Rating: 75% (1 review)
Last.fm

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Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Demented Ted play a chunky, technical-sounding style of animated Death Metal. I wouldn't call this melodic at all, but there's a certain... feel to it. Don't want to say "catchy", but there's something about the riffing that is absolutely delicious. I haven't listened to Death in years, but if I remember correctly, these guys have their moments with cascading riffs reminiscent of later Death. I could be wrong, but who cares, this is some quality obscure Death Metal that more people need to know about!

Sarcophagy - Live at Jerilee's 9/25/09 (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 2009

1. Live at Jerilee's

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Reunited at last! The first live show Sarcophagy has played since they reformed earlier this year (June) and it is fantastic! Nothing has changed since the old days, and this is one of the best live shows I have ever heard! The sound quality is really good, since each track was professionally recorded separately, then mashed together into one 35 minute track. It's been through multiple mixes (this is number four), so expect very good sound and production. Several songs are played from both demos, as well as new songs like "Truncate the Pedophile", along with an old track "Spoiled" that was one of four songs written back when they were still together, but never had a chance to record. These four songs are going to be relearned and recorded for a full-length that should be due out next summer some time. That's if they get around to writing a few more songs.

Definitely give this a dedicated listen, as the commentary from the band to the audience reveals a lot about who they are (how cool they are), the new band members, and their plans for the future. Not to mention the fuckin' rockin' music!

Sarcophagy - Cut to Pieces (1995)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 1995

1. Onset Of Torture
2. Cut To Pieces
3. The Summoning
4. Grisly Homicidal Butchery

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Sarcophagy was never one to let themselves be ruled by one style of music! They liked to change things up a bit, and that's exactly what we're given with Cut to Pieces: another way to make excellent Death Metal! The guitar tone is a little more subdued on this release, which complements the more dark and doomy parts on some of these songs. "Cut to Pieces" sometimes slows down to just a few beats per minute, painfully slow, but at the same time so satisfying; enough to bring a sadistic grin to your face. The same vocals are used, although the grunts are used more frequently than the rasps, once again fitting in nicely with the plodding dooooooom. A crushing demo. These guys need much more attention, so download and enjoy!

Sarcophagy - Hunger Pains (1993)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 1993

1. Blood Soaked
2. Motion Sickness
3. Soul Searcher
4. Mass Burial

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Sarcophagy was one of those bands back in the day who didn't give a fuck what the current scene sounded like and were limited only by their imagination (band said so itself) to create some of the best Death Metal out there. Hunger Pains was their first demo, and a magnificent start to a career that ended all too shortly. Thankfully, they have reformed with a couple new members and are ready to tear shit up again!

Mid to fast-paced, this is some out-of-the-box Death Metal that is not only creative, but devastating. There are several vocals styles present, ranging from deep, harsh grunts to raspy hissing growls, depending on the mood of the song. "Blood Soaked" is a slower-paced serial killer song, with the vocals and riffing to fit. Probably one of my favorites, and is also one of the band's favorite songs! The riffing and solos on all these songs are deliberately planned and thought out, solidifying their plan of attack. Amazing stuff, and completely undeserving of the lack of attention received! Recommended.

Immortal Visions - Aquaritia (1993)

Genre: Death/Doom Metal
Country: Poland
Year: 1993

1. Dei Carnifex
2. Sometimes They Comes Back
3. The All Seeing Hatered
4. Aquaritia
5. Follow Me in Dawn
6. In Astral Journey
7. Immortal Visions/Satanas Fatum

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An enigmatic band hailing from Poland, having only released this lone demo before changing their name to the title of this demo, "Aquarita". Let me begin by saying that this is one hell of an impressive demo, heavy and crushing, with numerous varied elements keeping this one far from the rest of the pack, in a class of its own. Actually a little overproduced, indicative by the crowded atmosphere and "collapsing" production, it fits very well into the style of music they play. A very dark and gloomy demo (the band they changed into actually plays "Dark Metal"), it is rather slow-paced with heavy gutturals. There are occasional acoustic interludes that break up a few of the songs, emitting an ethereal vibe, and you find yourself lost within the looming music. Definitely not your average everyday old school DM demo. This is something different, something special. Recommended.

Piekielne Wrota - W Oczekiwaniu (1989)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Poland
Year: 1989

1. Ostateczne Wyzwolenie
2. Przeznaczeni na Smierc
3. Jestes Skazany
4. Wziety w Posiadanie
5. Shit
6. Strach
7. W Oczekiwaniu
8. Wpasc w Czern
9. South of Heaven (Slayer Cover)

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Three years after the release of their self-titled demo, Piekielne Wrota have settled into a more solid, deathy sound. The vocal style, while still very thrashy, is much more anguished and has that sort of echoing quality that gives the release a much more pained and angry feel, helping define this more strongly as Death Metal. Still incredibly fast-paced and furious with wild solos and chaotic drumming, this demo does not let up, except for the occasional spacey semi-acoustic parts that make you feel as if you're drifting at sea or in space somewhere. Other than that, nothing special, but something for the ol' kvlt collection!

Piekielne Wrota - Piekielne Wrota (1986)

Note: Artwork unavailable

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Poland
Year: 1986

1. Mare Imbrium
2. Przeklety Dziki Swiat
3. Barbarzynskie Pragnienie Niszczenia
4. By Stawic jej Czola
5. Phantasmagoria
6. Przegrany Zwycieza
7. Batalion Smierci
8. Opetany
9. Wyzwolenie

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Ah, here we are. This is as old school as it gets, from all the way back in 1986 when Death Metal was first finding its beginnings, in Poland no less! Even with the Thrash influence, this is still some of the grittiest and harshest music out there. The guitars are worse than chainsaws, extremely raw and hateful, enough to send shivers down your spine. The vocals aren't quite growled and rather thrashy, but still filthy as fuck. The riffing never ends, along with the solos, keeping it very fast-paced. This is just another stepping stone for where it all began, people! Also please note that I split up all the songs manually, so if you find any problems, leave a comment!

Depression - Распятье Богов (1995) [Remastered and Original]

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Russia
Year: 1995

1. Де Сад
2. Зона Смерти
3. Инквизитор
4. Меланхолия
5. Предсмертный сон

Download at Mediafire [Original]
Download at Mediafire [Remastered]
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NOTE: Use 7zip when decompressing the archives. WinRAR might have trouble with the Cyrillic characters.

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HOLY SHIT

I have no idea where I came across this absolutely massive, obscure Russian demo, but I am sure as hell glad I did. One of the best demos my ears have had the pleasure of imbibing and they cannot thank me enough!

Monstrously huge, expansive Doom/Death Metal, with a heavy emphasis on the Doom. The tracks are quite lengthy, often extending past the ten minute mark, with an average of about 9 minutes each, allowing for multitudes of varying degrees of experimentation and gripping melodies. There's a little bit for everybody; often melodic, but at the same time crushingly heavy and suffocating, aided by the overpowering vocals. Evoking nostalgic and eye-opening atmosphere, I sit here stunned, mouth open, entirely at the mercy of this hypnotic and haunting obscurity. Long, winding instrumental passages saturate throughout, thick with melody and entrancement.

No other information about this band. Hell, their MA page hasn't been updated since the day this demo was submitted two years ago. Consider this a feast for the ears, a real treat to behold. Breathtaking.

EDIT 03/06/2012

Depression's classic 1995 demo has been remastered and rereleased in 2010. Link is included.

Voor - 1985 Demo (1985)

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Country: Canada
Year: 1985

1. Evil Metal
2. In Hell
3. Creature Of War
4. No Title
5. Bloodlust (Venom Cover)

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Classic band. Classic Death/Thrash. Voor formed way back in 1984 over in Quebec, Canada and churned out two timeless demos that are often regarded as the building blocks of Death Metal. This is more thrash, but worth mentioning, as they do have some stake in the Death Metal we know and love today. Very up-beat and fast paced with some killer riffs and solos, this is thrashing goodness is the most natural form possible. Chaotic vocals help fill out this demo, making the 1985 Demo some of the most fun music to listen to!

Voor - Evil Metal (1985)

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Country: Canada
Year: 1985

1. Evil Metal
2. In The Hell
3. Creatures of War
4. Like A Snake

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Metal Archives Rating: 88% (2 reviews)
Last.fm

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The second demo from these Canadian deathrashers, and it's a re-recording of all the material sans the Venom cover from their previous demo. Why they did this, I don't know, but it does sound much better! They turned up the production a few notches (relatively speaking) for a much better-sounding slab of thrashing chaos. Very catchy and fast-paced riffing reminiscent of Slayer and Possessed, often repetitive, but overall a fun listen, and even more exciting to see that Voor could have very well been in Possessed spot, grabbing hold of the title of Founder of Death Metal.

Eroded (Jpn) - Demo 92 (1992)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Japan
Year: 1992

1. Conformed to Domination
2. Sick Yearning
3. Inhuman Soul

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WHOA. I did not expect such a high level of intensity from something coming out of Japan, still entirely engulfed in obscurity. Simply put, this is one of the best demos I have ever heard. Everything about it is perfectly in tune, balanced to a T, making this an engrossing and addicting listen. Touches of grindcore can be heard here and there, as blast beats often find themselves spiraling out of control, cementing the madness and destruction present on this demo. Fantastic guitar tone, very whole, gritty, and raw sounding, yet still easy on the ears. Very intense and fast-paced, yet somehow manages to avoid any sort of "brutal" tag, just impeccably crafted Death Metal.

The song structure in engaging; as previously mentioned, every aspect of this release blends together beautifully, from the perfect amount of riffing, to the raspy vocals that complement the guitars and drums wonderfully. Absolutely nothing irritating or grating about this release, just brilliantly enjoyable music of the purest kind.

Recommended.

Necroccultus - Supreme Occult One...The Underworld Abhorrence (2006)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Mexico
Year: 2006

1. Supreme Occult One (Intro)/In The Darkest Region Of Dead
2. The Underworld Abhorrence

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Credits to KeithM for the find!

Hailing from Mexico, Necroccultus are a new and upcoming band with a hell of a lot of potential. This is just one EP from their already outstanding discography. Drawing influence from acts like Immolation, Necroccultus plays fast and furious evil-sounding Death Metal, with suffocating vocals. Not quite a guttural and a little easier on the ears, but still doesn't falter the least in creating a noisy atmosphere of destruction. Very riff-heavy, focusing on tremolo picking, brace yourself for 13 minutes of ass-kicking!

Visceral Evisceration - Rehearsal 1994 (Unreleased Tracks) (1994)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Austria
Year: 1994

1. Unreleased Rehearsal Track
2. Butchered Magnificence
3. Impassioned Arousal (Jam Session)
4. Chewing Female Genital Parts (Stoned Accoustic Reh.)
5. I Am Enamoured (Of Dead Bodies) (Reh.)
6. Chewing Female Genital Parts (Reh.)
7. Tender Flesh... on the Bier (Reh.)

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Just when you thought you had it all... here's one more thing for the truly dedicated Visceral Evisceration fan: a rehearsal tape containing seven full recordings from rehearsal sessions during September/October of 1994, after the full-length was released.

Included are two more unreleased tracks, one untitled, and the other "Butchered Magnificence". Both sound more like what you'd expect from Visceral Evisceration, compared to the other rehearsals on this blog, probably due to the fact that these are later recordings, after they settled into their sound. In fact, there is a possibility that those other rehearsals aren't even Visceral Evisceration, although they certainly sound like them, and there's no denying the "Gangling Menstrual Blood-Broth for Supper" rehearsal track.

The first unreleased track is very riff oriented, while the second focuses more on drumming.

But wait, there's more! Also on this tape is an earlier recording of the song "Impassioned Arousal" from the Promo 1995, and an acoustic version of "Chewing Female Genital Parts". They were possibly stoned, although I've been told that they didn't usually smoke at their rehearsals. Regardless, an incredibly interesting take on this classic song.

Closing out the rehearsal are rehearsed versions of the two songs that weren't featured on the 1993 demo Savour of the Seething Meat, and what appears to be their favorite track, "Tender Flesh... on the Bier".

You're welcome.

Embalmed Souls - Six Rites of Possession (2009)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Brazil
Year: 2009

1. Infection to the Holy Temple
2. Wings of Abomination
3. Circle of Utopia
4. Bury Your Faith
5. Priest of Divine Illusion
6. Purified by Hungry Vermins
7. Dawn of Agony
8. Battle Against Celestial Slaves
9. Forget the Commandments
10. Under the Sign of Ressurrection
11. Revelations in the Darkness

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Released just a few months ago, Paulo from Embalmed Souls noticed that I had featured the band's other demos on this blog, and was kind enough to send me a copy of their latest demo "Six Rites of Possession" as a form of promotion. This is going to be a "megapost" in that I'll not only review and post the demo, but I will also upload pictures and inserts that came with the release, as well as flyers and other paraphernalia that was sent to me. I highly recommend that you all get into contact with Paulo (who manages the band's email and mail), as he is a very nice guy and open-minded, willing to trade and talk about music.

I have ripped this in a beautiful 320 kbps, and if you'd like it in any other format, just give me a holler. Included on this demo are not only their newest six songs (tracks 1-6), but also the five tracks from their 2005 demo "The Temple of Bizarre Cult" (tracks 7-11).

REVIEW
All of Embalmed Souls' music is recorded live to, and I quote Paulo, "keep our music nearest to the most natural sound possible". I personally love it this way, as you know there are no funky things going on; just pure, raw Death Metal in the most lively and unadulterated form out there. Very reminiscent of the older days of old school metal and quite the refreshing listen.

Much like their previous releases, Embalmed Souls continue with their dark and arcane style of crushing Death Metal, filled with an overwhelming sense of impending destruction. Very heavy, full-sounding, and fast-paced, Six Rites of Possession doesn't let up once and again I get the feeling (only this band manages it) that I'm being chased through never-ending corridors by some enigma, oozing darkness and doom. The vocals are dirty gutturals, complementing the music perfectly. Evil prevails over all other atmospheric elements presented here. Gravely riffs saturate the release, and Embalmed Souls continue with yet another brilliantly impressive demo to keep Death Metal alive. If only others would follow in the footsteps left behind by these guys, the future of metal would be a much brighter and promising place. If only...

Alright, here are some scans of artwork and other miscellanea I have acquired.

Back cover


Front of the insert


Back of the insert


Flyer for Six Rites of Possession


Flyer for demo The Temple of Bizarre Cult


Flyer for the "Live at Art Underground" DVD


Order demos and arrange trades:

Embalmed Souls
Caixa Postal 8062
Sudoeste Brasília-DF
70673-970
BRAZIL

souls666@terra.com.br
embalmedsouls@gmail.com

Please keep in mind that Paulo and Embalmed Souls are very understanding and open to negotiations. So if you're interested in acquiring some of this material, don't hesitate to contact Paulo at the email addresses provided and work out a price or even a trade. They're not about the money, it's all about spreading the music they love to make and keeping metal alive the best they can.

So please, support this band by giving their music a shot, listening, and enjoying it!

You can find links to all their other demos that I posted here.

Decerebration - My Inner Impurity (1995)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Canada
Year: 1995

1. Blood Shed
2. Virtual Brutality
3. Vengenceful Divinities
4. Rejected into Suicide
5. And She's no More
6. Stolen Conscience

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Last.fm

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Straight out of the frozen tundra that is Canada comes some very intense Death Metal. I wouldn't quite call it Brutal DM, but there are elements such as the grunted vocals that add to this demo's ass-kicking brutality. Everything is out in full force on this demo: the drums, vocals, and guitars. Very fast-paced, the drummer does an excellent job of keeping up with the music, supplying copious blast beats and just impressive drumming overall. You can tell this guy knows what he's doing. But the highlight is definitely the riffing and the guitars. Fast, pummeling riffs (not thrashy) pulverize the listener, repeatedly jabbing deeper and deeper until nothing's left, systematically tearing down any barrier that the listener has braced himself with. Recommended.

Anathemized - Disdain (1994)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Poland
Year: 1994

1. Gates of Light
2. Beyond
3. An Old Wise Man
4. Clouds of Pride
5. Anathemized
6. My Temple
7. Religious Insanity
8. Inremembrance

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Metal Archives
Last.fm

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More Death Metal from Poland! Obscure band, only released a few demos, and if anybody has anything else from Anathemized, please share!

A fairly heavy, satisfying slab of dirty Death Metal, this is sure to please any fan of OSDM. Slow, murky, rumbling riffs are key here, and the production gives the demo a feel that it was recorded underwater in the fog. Very cool, adding to the dark and mysterious atmosphere. Guttural rasps are utilized and blend very smoothly with the music. Nothing about this release is grating in any way and is very easy on the ears. We occasionally hear the bass burst through the muck. Overall a damned fine demo that just sounds good. Recommended.

Cremation - Quilquish Septicemia (1989)

Note: Artwork unavailable

Genre: Death Metal
Country: Sweden
Year: 1989

1. The Embalming (Intro)
2. Cremation
3. Quilquish Septicemia
4. Remains of Death
5. Evil Dead (Death cover)
6. The Scattering (Outro)

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I'm constantly digging around for really old school stuff, so when I came across this 1989 hidden gem, I was quite pleased. This was originally recorded as a rehearsal, then sort of half-officially released as a demo. The sound isn't too bad, but, as with most rehearsals, the vocals are really muffled and barely audible. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since they can sometimes be downright pants-shittingly scary, especially when the vocalist really lets loose a primitive shriek like at 3:18 in the song "Cremation" and the beginning of the title track.

Often flirting with Doom, there are slow, ambling sections, but also thrashy paced up-beat parts with lively riffs. Demos like these are my favorite because instrumentation is focused on a lot more, instead of being overpowered with vocals. You're free to bask in the great guitarwork here. Recommended.

Darkseid - The Three Mothers (1996)

Genre: Death Metal
Country: France
Year: 1996

1. The Three Mothers
2. Mater Suspiriorum
3. Mater Lacrimarum
4. Mater Tenebrarum
5. I Tre Iris (Outro)

Download at Mediafire
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Last.fm

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Another extremely obscure and rare one-demo band, Darkseid released this "concept demo" in 1996, then disappeared, never to be heard from again. This is an interestingly crafted album, a bit weird at parts, and I'm not quite sure what to think of it, but I'm leaning toward "It's goood". It says so on the demo cover that all the songs are inspired by Dario Argento's Suspiria and Inferno so expect some creepy shit and weird approaches. Probably the most fascinating thing about this album is the guitar tuning. It almost sounds like something that should belong in a Black Metal band, yet plays like Death Metal. Low, guttural vocals saturate the release and create a dark, gloomy atmosphere. Pretty cool demo.

Caducity - Incarnated: The Abhorer's Tale (1992)

Genre: Epic Death Metal
Country: Belgium
Year: 1992

1. Incarnated
2. Human Soul
3. Silvy
4. Red Army Ensemble
5. Dungeons Of Doom
6. Dear God

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Last.fm

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Way out from Belgium, Caducity are something different. I rarely use the term "epic" to describe much of anything, but Caducity play a very special brand of Death Metal that can only be described as having that overpowering, mystifying feel that "epic" bands in other genres create. Opening with a spooky and esoteric riff, the demo soon erupts into full-sounding OSDM with a heavy focus on hypnotic and atmospheric riffing. Each riff is carefully planned out and they all flow together seamlessly, making this demo very engaging and easy to appreciate. Definitely not your average, everyday Death Metal, and this demo is where it all began.

Absurd Existence - Silence (1993)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Germany
Year: 1993

1. Intro/Gates of Nemesis
2. Silence
3. Earth Rape
4. Myself in You
5. Theds
6. Psychopatic phobia

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

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Hailing from Germany, Absurd Existence play a very melodic and melancholic style of Doom/Death, reminiscent of Visceral Evisceration. I'm not saying they sound anything like VE, but there are those occasional piercing riffs that just make your spine shiver and your mouth salivate. I much prefer the approach on the full-length, mainly because the production is better. For this style of music, clean production is a must, and the muddled feel of "Silence" kinda takes away from the epic feel that you should be experiencing. Also, the vocals are a bit high in the mix, sometimes drowning out the beautiful guitar work. Still, the vocals themselves are fantastic and very raspy, perfect for the doomy goodness encapsulated within them. There are also some more wild higher-pitched growls as well! Great demo, and something different. Look out for their full-length!

Absurd Existence - Angelwings (1994)

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal
Country: Germany
Year: 1994

1. Sorrow
2. Black Sun
3. Beyond All Beauty
4. Dawn Of Lies
5. ...And We Dream
6. At The Gates Of Nemesis
7. Ode To The Setting Sun
8. Silence
9. Carried By The Wings Of An Angel

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

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Back again, with their only full-length, entitled "Angelwings", these Germans created one hell of a masterpiece. Even more melodic than their demo (didn't think that was possible), these guys really know how to write riffs and write them well. My ears keep telling me I'm listening to Visceral Evisceration and Rapture, but there are also original elements to the music, making this stand out over those pansy melodeath bands. Still retaining their Doom/Death genre, it feels like the melody is separated from the music itself, which sounds funky, but it actually works very well. There are alternating sections between downtuned riffing and slow, sludgy Death Metal, and also parts that are basically minute long guitar solos, making for some very nice contrast. They have an orgasmic habit of slowing the music down, then speeding it up while turning on the riffing making some sections completely overwhelming in the best way possible. My heart begins to race and I just want MORE! Recommended.

Ahrimah - Ain Soph Aur (1994)

Genre: Progressive/Avant-Garde Death Metal
Country: Poland
Year: 1994

1. Hazmanah Or Zarna (Introduction)
2. De Carne Christi
3. Azagthoth
4. Pain Of Recognition
5. Veni Creator Spiritus
6. Euronymous
7. First Thing First...
8. Rite Of Heliogabal/Heliogabal Conquest of Paradise (Outroduction)

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

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This demo is freakin' awesome. Been on heavy rotation for the past couple weeks and for good reason! At a long and involving 30 minutes, there is no skimping on material here, and what's even more amazing is that every song has its own identity? None of this blurs together into one long mess of a song, but each track has its own quirks and unique aura that completely destroys other demos at the time. Seriously, this is something special in that it contains everything you could ever want in "eclectic" Death Metal, and I might even go as far as to label this Progressive, or even Avant-Garde!

The first song is when it hits you, when this bizarre Middle-Eastern melody springs out of nowhere, and immediately I check Metal Archives to see what Middle-Eastern country they're from and then I see they hail from Poland! What!? The odd experimentation leaps and bounds its way all throughout Ain Soph Aur, with strange jazzy parts, soothing instrumental interludes, crazy riffs, slow doomy and upbeat thrashy parts, rad bass lines, spacey psychedelic sections, atmospheric palm-muted bits, holy shit the list goes on! If you were to listen to one song, go for "Pain of Recognition".

And the vocals! Not your typical death grunt/growl, these are more in beat with the instrumentation and sound like they almost groove to the music at parts, while spoken words pop up here and there on a couple tracks, creating one hell of a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.

I can't possibly recommend this enough!

Doom Formation - Definition of EVIL (1995)

Genre: (Brutal) Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 1995

1. The Ways Of The Dead
2. Visions Of Ungodly Dreams
3. Morbid Catastrophic Fear
4. Gleuben EVIL

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

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I don't know anything about this band, or even where I came across this recording... but I thought I'd throw this out to the internet world. Doom Formation only released this single demo in 1995, and then split up, although they appear to have a Myspace, even though it's not listed on MA and seems a little suspicious, evidence suggests there was another split or album in the works. You can listen to another song there.

On to the music. Pretty straightforward, in your face death metal with touches in grind and brutal territory, most notably in the blasting and vocal style. Very professional sounding, and the riffs are tight and well-crafted. Neat little demo from a time lost ages ago!

Nyarlathotep - Slub Lorth in Eternal Rest (2001)

Note: Artwork unavailable

Genre: Funeral Doom/Death Metal
Country: USA
Year: 2001

1. An Empire Destined To Crumble
2. Birth of Gol

Download at Mediafire
Metal Archives
Last.fm

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Very little is known about Nyarlathotep, except that it was a side project of the fellows from The Red Chord and that they changed their name to Stomach Earth.

However, they managed to release a two-song demo back in 2001, and my socks were blown off at first listen. Playing Funeral Death/Doom in the vein of greats such as Evoken and Catacombs, this is a real treat on the ears. Often utilizing keyboards, I get the overwhelming sense of impending doom and that the walls of my sanity are collapsing beneath me. Fantastic atmosphere, and a really gripping release, all the way through, even though their style of music is painfully slow-paced. The first track is a little more orthodox in the style, rarely incorporating strange elements, but then the second song knocks down all boundaries and all hell breaks loose. Keyboards come out blazing from the very beginning, and the deep guttural vocals just rip you to shreds. Then, a little more than halfway into the song, some crazy Avant-Garde shit is employed and you start wondering where the hell this is going next! I even heard a violin and a flute. Bizarre stuff, but totally up my alley. Tremendous and highly recommended. I could see myself listening to this over and over again.