~Demo Reviews~
I cunduct my reviewing in two steps. First a description of the music, secondly my impression if it. The grades goes from 1-10 (10 being the best possible grade). However, as numbers are vague and says little of value in this case, I advice you to pay the most attention to the actual writing, rather than the grade I state. Also have in mind that I do not claim to be universal in what I state about the demos involved, I have my favorite music, and everything I state on this page is based on the comparison to my favorites. In other words, if you don't have my taste for music, then this page is of lacking value to you.
BAND: Chthonian Nemeton
DEMO TITLE: Now Is Coming
BAND CONTACT:
Chthonian Nemeton
Fabio Bava
Via Benozzo Gozzoli, 62
00142 - Rome
ITALY
~1~
Italian Death Metal, with simularities to bands like Deicide and Morbid Angel. The sound is not good at all, however not terrible. Judging from the little I know of the scene I'd say this is unorigial. Rather well-played however.
~2~
I despise this kind of music in general. There are of course exceptions, but this is not one of them. We've already got Deicide, Morbid Angel etc. established, with albums and concerts, do we need another mimic? The overall grade is set to 3.
BAND: Immemorial
DEMO TITLE: The Age Nocturne
BAND CONTACT:
Immemorial
c/o Blash
PL 4646
441 95 Alingsås
SWEDEN
blash@algonet.se
~1~
Grinding Black Metal with a distinct Swedish sound to it. The quality of the sound is poor.
~2~
I like this demo-tape, for a couple of minutes, then I get bored. The speed is quite amuzing, and the music is definatly evil-sounding. No catchy riffs, no wimp-shit. Here might lie a weakness aswell as far as I'm concerned, as there are virtually no breaks, no symphonic parts, only a steady hellish grinding. The overall grade is set to 4.
BAND:Sorg
DEMO TITLE:Mina drömmars dal
BAND CONTACT:
Sorg
c/o Victor Hemgren
Duvkullav. 30
172 37 Sundbyberg
SWEDEN
sorg666@hotmail.com
~1~
Described by the band itself as Black/Death/Heavy Metal, this vague definition has alot of truth. The riffs swing from "nice" Black Metal to "cute" Death Metal to riffs which are definatly Heavy Metal. The quality of the sound is relativly good (studio recording).
~2~
Original? You tell me. I hardly think so. I am not the one to judge wether this is good or not. All I know is that this kind of music ain't my bag at all. It sounds Swedish in my ears, which is natural of course. It has too much in commen with hard rock for me to like it. Overall grade: 5. I remember pissing the Sorg-crew off by calling their music "pop", well guys, it ain't that terrible, but pretty fucking far from Mayhem.
BAND:Sorg
DEMO TITLE:Devestated Light
BAND CONTACT:
*Above*
~1~
A continuation of their first demo "Mina Drömmars Dal". Good quality of sound, better played overall. Still the same kind of Black/Death/Heavy Metal however. Some "metal-screams" and "metal-warrior-choirs" added, which gives the music a little extra here and there.
~2~
My standing on this recording is simular to the one regarding their previous release. However, since "Devestated Light" is slightly better in every way I grant it a grade of 6.
BAND:Sorg
DEMO TITLE: demo III (?)
BAND CONTACT:
*above*
~1~
A great change. In this recording Sorg plays medium heavy Death Metal, except the last song which is best labeled as Death/Black. The sound is really good, and the arrangements are thoughtfull. Their musical skills seems to have improved a bit even though they were not at all bad before. The drums are better above all, and this is most likely due to a new line-up including a new drummer.
~2~
Sorg has definatly cut off into a new path of music, and judging by the results I welcome it. Even though Death ain't my bag I must say this recording has great quality. As goes for originality I am a bit unsure, but it's surely more original than before (not that I am qualified to back that statement up, due to my less than finite knowledge of todays Death-scene), and also much better. The grade is set to 7, and I would not be supriced if this is the last demo these guys make... How about a record-deal?
BAND:Quilmess
DEMO TITLE: Mess (CD-demo)
BAND CONTACT:
quilmess@hotmail.com
~1~
Thrash/Heavy Metal, comparable to "old" Metallica, and also Slayer even though Quilmess doesn't play half as fast as these Thrash-kings. The sound is very agreable, and these guys know their instruments.
~2~
It can't be denied that this is good, but I think it would have been even better if they'd had more fast parts (most of the demo is basically a balad). The singing could have been better as well, and above all, there should have been more vocals. The demo comes burned on a CD, which is of course nice even though it does not effect the musical value. Since they've gone through the trouble of getting a CD-demo, I must comment on the layout, which is really below standards. The cover-art looks like it was made in about 10 minutes. I don't know why they decided to have it all like this, all I know is that it's a shame. The grade is 6.
BAND:Funeral Mist
DEMO TITLE: Havoc Demo II '96
BAND CONTACT:
Funeral Mist
c/o Arioch
Basunvägen 39
17548 Järfälla
SWEDEN
~1~
The quality of the sound seems to vary, overall it's rather poor. The bass is weak, lost in distortion. Anyways, this is simple, grinding, a bit symphonic Black Metal, satanic and Swedish in every way. It has got simularities to bands like Dark Funeral, and the music contains some catchy riffs, but is still far from being wimpy.
~2~
Despite the lacking sound, and it being not very original I find this demo being quite an average piece of work, hence, the grade is 5.
BAND:Necromorbus
DEMO TITLE:Awaiting the Arrival
BAND CONTACT:
Necromorbus
c/o Stjerna
Skridskovägen 2
s-17343 Järfälla
SWEDEN
~1~
This demo holds a very varying content, the dominant style is Black Metal, but there are many breaks of Heavy-, Death-, and yes, even Doom Metal. The sound and production is good.
~2~
Track number one, and also the title-song, overshadows the rest of the demo. And "Awaiting The Arrival" is one of the best songs I've ever heard on a demo. The title song is also the most Black creation of this demo. The rest of the material is also very agreable, with some exceptions (as goes for some solos etc.). The grade is 7, though it'd been much higher if "Awaiting the Arrival" had been more characterized by the first track.
BAND:Månegarm
DEMO TITLE: Ur Nattvindar
BAND CONTACT:
Jonas Almqvist
Stegelbäcksgatan 12B
761 45 Norrtälje
SWEDEN
~1~
An agreable production of symphonious "Viking/North" style Black Metal. Loads of extra instruments, as violins, piano etc.
~2~
Definately the best demo I've reviewed so far, better than the album which followed this demo. The style of Black Metal they play is experiancing heavy inflation, but "Ur Nattvindar" stands out from the rest of the scene. The grade is 8. This demo unfortunately makes their album "Nordstjärnans Tidsålder" sound like either a slight set-back, or a result of getting carried away with the thought of maintaining the style while still being original. The latter a state which is practically impossible in this case.
BAND:Deathless
DEMO TITLE: Promo Tape '96
BAND CONTACT:
P.O. Box 60 L'hospitalet de Llobregat
08900 - Barcelona (Spain)
FAX: Michael Fidalgo
(34 3) 3009478 (Barzelona - Spain)
~1~
The quality of the sound is good, however a bit muffled. This is Thrash/Death Metal at medium pace. Tons of catchy riffs and solos, party music in other words. The voice is sometimes drowned by the other wellplayed instruments.
~2~
I do not like this kind of music at all, but it can't be denied that Deathless are good at what they do, even though their music suck. The grade is hence 5, even though I'll never listen to again.
BAND: The Marble Icon
DEMO TITLE: Sombre Epigraph (demo -96)
BAND CONTACT:
Jonas Kimbrell
Landshammarsgatan 10a
646 33 Gnesta
SWEDEN
~1~
The sound-quality is good, though the drums are mixed a bit low. This is death/Doom Metal, slow most of the time, with a deep growling voice. The Marble Icon is comparable to bands like My Dying Bride, but we're not dealing with a pure mimic.
~2~
This music ain't my bag at all. The grade is set to 5 due to quality, not at all due to my personal opinion.
BAND: Soils Of Fate
DEMO TITLE: Pain... Has A Face
BAND CONTACT:
Magnus Lindvall
Stationsgatan 21b
195 42 Märsta
SWEDEN
~1~
American class fast Death Metal, deep growling and quick turns in the stomping riffs. Completely impossible to make out what's being said. Wellplayed and tight, with a rather good sound.
~2~
I don't like this at all, but I admit it's well-made, therefor I grant this demo a grade of no less than 6.
BAND:Immemorial
DEMO TITLE: Winter Breeze
BAND CONTACT:
*above*
~1~
Fast Black Metal with a resonable sound. The music is kind of old-school on some parts, and rather typically "Swedish trend" in other parts. The vocals remind me of Dark Throne, and I think there's one or two influences from Death Metal here and there. One or two catchy riffs can be found aswell.
~2~
The overall grade us 4.
BAND:Out Of Hand
DEMO TITLE: A Dream
BAND CONTACT:
Out Of Hand
c/o Mikael Ribeiro
GöstaEkmansväg 33
126 54 Hägersten
SWEDEN
outofhand@hotmail.com
~1~
Doom Metal or, as some say, Dark Rock, with a very good sound. Misantropical soft music which works well to chill out with. It's made with thought and talant and has simularities with bands like Type O Negative and Bay Laurel.
~2~
This crap is really good, the grade is 7.
BAND:Thyrfing
DEMO TITLE:Hednaland
BAND CONTACT:
Patrik Lindgren
Stjärnvägen 4A
135 55 TYRESÖ
SWEDEN
~1~
Viking Black Metal with reonable sound, symphonic with alot of synth, viking choirs etc. Rather slow and soft for being Black Metal.
~2~
I know alot of people like this kind of music, personaly I think it has a way to happy feel to it. Besides, what's this viking-shit really all about? I find this image hard to take serious in the first place. Grade: 5.
BAND:Prophanity
DEMO TITLE:The Battleroar
BAND CONTACT:
Prophanity
c/o Christer Olsson
Arkitektvägen 7
S-441 50 Alingsås
SWEDEN
~1~
I'd describe this as Black/Heavy Metal, as it has the speed and vocals of Black metal, but the overall impression is not quite Black.This band has sumilarities to for example Sorg (which is included above), but Prophanity is much faster.
~2~
This is quite good. The Grade is 6.
BAND:Cryptic Art
DEMO TITLE:In The Fog Of Frustration
BAND CONTACT:
Thomas Hodosi
Hermelinvägen 4A
146 37 Tullinge
SWEDEN
~1~
Heavy metal with some influences of Death, and some parts are close to Black Metal. The sound is good. There are female vocals, and music is overall wellplayed.
~2~
Wimpy, but fun to listen too, party music. Grade: 5.
BAND:Superior
DEMO TITLE:Illustare Ad Infernali
BAND CONTACT:
c/o Leviathan Forge
Skarpbrunnavägen. 209
145 64 Norsborg
SWEDEN
~1~
Fast Black Metal, not original but still good. the sound is good aswell. Wellplayed, with a fucking great drummer.
~2~
There ain't much more to say, this shit rocks! Grade:7.
BAND:Thy Mortal Eyes
DEMO TITLE:Tragedies Unsung
BAND CONTACT:
Marco Ciccone
via Dacia 24
00183 ROMA
ITALY
~1~
Black/Heavy Metal with keyboards here and there. Some fast songs, some slow ones. Wellplayed music which is hard to put ones finger on.
~2~
Grade:6
BAND:Heresiarh
DEMO TITLE:Dragons Of War
BAND CONTACT:
Janis Balodis
Zamites 2
Riga LV-1002
LATVIJA
~1~
I do not what kind of category this should be put in. They themselves claim that they play Dragon Metal, to me it sounds like a healthy mix of Heavy Metal with symphonic stuff like female vocals, and a pinch of Black Metal. It's definatly original, atleast compared to what i've heard. Wellplayed and full of suprizes. Overall a good piece of work.
~2~
I can do nothing but to give them what they deserve.... Grade: 7.
BAND:Pantheon
DEMO TITLE:Only Chaos reigns
BAND CONTACT:
Thomas Väänänen
Bollmoravägen 74
135 40 Tyresö
SWEDEN
~1~
Very speedy Black Metal with resonable sound. Evil and ripping. Some solos and wimpy parts here and there however.
~2~
Well, there you have it, the grade is 5.
BAND:Guidance Of Sin
DEMO TITLE:Soul Disparity
BAND CONTACT:
Jesper Löfgren
Hallonvägen 60
19635 Kungsängen
SWEDEN
~1~
Melodic, soft Death Metal. Wellplayed.
~2~
Grade:5
BAND: Rutto/Grisgrinder
DEMO TITLE:Split demo '96, '97
BAND CONTACT:
*no need*
~1~
Grindcore Death Metal is what Rutto has to offer. The vocals remind me of an evil death Metal pig oinking and growling in the background. Which brings me on to Grisgrinder. Thay have less bass, but the same vocals it seems. Bad sound etc.
~2~
Grade?! Suicide recomended...
BAND:Månegarm
DEMO TITLE:Vargaresa
BAND CONTACT:
S. Rosendal
Karby 4069
76173 Norrtälje
SWEDEN
~1~
Fast Black Metal the normal unoriginal way, with terrible sound. Evil sounding.
~2~
That's it! Grade:3.
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Email: zablogma@hotmail.com
