Introspectre - Misplaced (Malaki 1995)
I actually like this demo more than the CD (listed in CD reviews), but Introspectre was still suffering from the same problems. Their presentation of the music is almost powerless, and, in all honesty, the music would benefit greatly from the band taking more time with the recording process. The trademark Introspectre thrash style can be heard hear, as well as some really good guitar-work. "Golden Idol" is terrific. I'm pretty sure that Introspectre called it quits a few years back, and if that is the case, it's very upsetting that they never had the chance to release a real pro album.
Introspectre / 10201 W. Appleton Ave. / Milwaukee, WI 53225
Metal Sniff - Blood, Sweat, and Pap Smears 1995
Hellz yeah! Metal Sniff is ultimately joke metal at it's finest. While crossing a traditional "joke music" attitude with more extreme metal genres such as death metal and hardcore, it is obvious that they have absolutely no idea how to play their instruments at all! Their drummer (when they're not using drum programming, that is) has no concept of timing, the vocalist has no idea of key, and the guitars are basically scrapped power chords. So why are they so good? Metal Sniff are very proud of the fact that they have no musical talent, and the brilliance lies within lyrical content and musical skits, such as the Jewish punk song "I Felt a Gefilte". You are also graced with a downright terrible parody of The Misfits' "Twist Of Caine" and the death metal satires "Psycho Cookie Monster" and "The Slurpy Song". The latter has a wonderful dialogue between a death metal vocalist and an Indian 7-11 manager: hilarious! Last, but not least, the listener is also graced with a bonus of Metal Sniff's WLHU performance of "Hot and Spicy Chili", which is a sludgecore song based on a random cook book recipe.
Metal Sniff / 320A Birch Ave. / Horsham, PA 19044
Narcolepsy - Amniotic Band Syndrome 1993/1994
Narcolepsy had an interesting, yet short, carrer in the underground circuit. The release of this demo found the band lost amongst a throng of countless death/grind acts, all virtually similar in sound. It was no surprise that Narcolepsy would make such a bold move on their next demo Jesus F*ck. Amniotic Band Syndrome is pretty much a carbon copy of Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, Terrorizer, you pick. They lack identity, but make up in technicality, it's good break-stuff music.
Necrotomy - Necrotomy (Underworld 1994)
Good old Underworld Records. The company was started around 1994 by current Catholicon keyboardist Chad Kelly and is responsible for releasing a library of Catholicon demos as well as this Necrotomy demo. Jason McIntyre (currently in Suture) played guitar in this band as well as Ben Stout (Goatwhore fame) picking up vocal duties. Necrotomy's progressive death metal sound was very unique at its time, and though Stout's quirky vocal performance can rake at the ears, the demo itself is rather good. They unfortunately broke up right after releasing this, and several of the members went on to play for the excellent hardcore/death metal outfit Guilt Trip.
Nocternity - Carpe Noctem (1997)
Nocternity are a symphonic black metal band from Brazil somewhat kin to the likes of Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. I really enjoy the band's melodies, and as I never really cator to the entire "sell-out" black metal band ideology, they really do the style justice. I couldn't boast that this demo contains music better than the aforementioned bands, but they definitely have promise.
Av. Fernando Nobre 726 / 06700-000 V. Sao Fernando - Cotia / SP - Brazil
