This is the Polish ‘Satanic dark metal’ Pandemonium from Poland, a long running band (formed in 1989) whose music I have become quite familiar with over my reviewing years. Although the last time I caught them it was a re-issue of their first album, they released a good album in 2012 ( http://www.avenoctum.com/2012/06/pandemonium-misanthropy-pagan-records/ ) and a single this year so the up to date band is thankfully still around and kicking.
This then is another re-issue; their first demo in fact, with extra rehearsal tracks from their first rehearsal tape and live tracks from the same era to fill this out to a good value 17 tracks. And like ‘The Last Catatonia’ re-issue it is clearly aimed at fans who missed out first time round and, also like that is mostly of historic interest.
Devilri itself is a seven song release with actually (unless it has been re-recorded or re-mastered, I have no idea as there was no PR sheet included) a rather good sound. Instrumental ‘Dark Winds’ opens it up in brooding style and from then on we are into ‘Hagia Sophia’, a fine down-tuned bit of slow Celtic Frost inspired death metal; a cool riff and excellent guttural vocals. ‘Sunless Domain’ continues the Frosty sound, slower and darker and that is kind of the theme throughout. Early death metal in a Celtic Frost vein, ‘Might Of The Gods’ is the track most indicative of their eventual direction of travel, picking up the progressive elements with three twisting tempo changes and brief keyboards, a touch of almost melody and the first real peeks into the band’s own identity. A solid start for any band.
The rehearsal tape is a spritely 5 song affair: Thin, unproduced sound true but you can see the focus and the promise there and there’s the little bonus of a good, chugging cover of Samael’s ‘Into The Pentagram’. The live tracks, it has to be said, are not particularly well recorded with a muddy, distant and confused sound but still hint at what may well have been a powerful early show. But as I say, nice inclusions but really for completeists only. Really check out 2012 ‘s ‘Misanthropy’ first to appreciate what this underrated band can do and then come back to this still worthy package.
(6.5/10 Gizmo)
Leave a Reply