ALGOL
“Witchsleep” demo (1994)
rating: 5 of 6
It’s one of the demo works by ALGOL and the last one in the shape of “unofficial” recording if I’m not mistaken. Well, there’s not much to say in regards to “Witchsleep” as it seems I’ve told you about this band enough in a review on “Entering The Woods Of Enchantment”, the CD they made their debut with. This tape (yeah, back in 1994 BM bands haven’t got used to unleash demo or promo of theirs in a CD-R format…) comes with five tracks of rather exciting death / black metal combination… actually, it’s more death-metal, at least if comparing “Witchsleep” to “Entering…”. Fast-paced and quite short, all the tunes last for only twenty minutes in total, however it’s pretty enough to get in what the hell ALGOL is all about… and get high as well. Once I praised the lead guitarist (getting back to that “Entering…” review again), but anyway, let me do it for one more time. His work is one of the (few?) highlights on this effort… in fact, solos sound somewhat blues-alike (?!), and that’s for better, since this passages make ALGOL to stand against the background of faceless black / death imitations’ multitude… These guys still sound original, even though there’re plenty of acts delivering outstanding and innovative music nowadays. (Herr Stalhammar)

ARCTURUS
“My Angel” 7’EP (1991)
Putrefaction Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Giving this 7’EP a listen would turn out as a huge surprise for those who’ve already got acquainted with either “Aspera Hiems Simfonia” or “La Masquerade Infernale” due to the fact this vinyl musically is VERY different from the direction ARCTURUS moved on further. But anyway, it was so original for a Norwegian band… Slow-paced, dreary and grim doom / death metal with plenty of keyboards, forcing the incredibly dreadful atmosphere. “My Angel” tracks are rather long, however the attentive listener won’t notice it, simply being enraptured… I wish most of contemporary metal bands to listen to this effort and make their choice… Either you’re copycats or the ones who manage to create supreme form of art… The dark art. (Herr Stalhammar)

SANCTUM
“Raped Of Your Religion” CD (1993)
Lethal Records
rating: 4 of 6
It’s either English or Australian band, hell knows where do they come from actually… And surely there’s pretty small amount of those who had a chance to get themselves acquainted with this CD, as it was brought forth the light by infamous rip-offers, the Austria’s Lethal Records. “Raped…” comes with a typical Lethal-trademark layout, i.e. the one made in the shape of some kind of a poster. Good looking, I must admit. Musically, it’s blackened death metal… or “deathened” black metal…? Well, I don’t give a damn, to be honest. “Recorded at Basement Studios”? Basement – yes. Studios – I don’t think so. The sound is far from being perfect; in fact, it sucks. Very dirty and somewhat raw, too much basses and guitars caught in the background… Yuck! Vocals vary from semi-death metal pseudo-growls to typical black metallish screams, being supplemented by surprisingly masterly performed guitar passages and leads, 5-string bass, skillful drumming as well as keyboards and piano here and there. Generally speaking, it sound good enough even now, in the year of 2000, so it seems like if Lethal weren’t rip-offing shitheads, SANCTUM could go on further quite successfully. (Herr Stalhammar)

ZEMIAL
“Sleeping Under Tartarus” 7’EP (1992)
Gothic Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
This is a 7’EP released back in 1992 by US’ Gothic Records, and if they would issue the recordings equal to this one in terms of quality nowadays, they could definitely become something better – as a label. I guess, most of you are already familiar with this Hellas’ cult band – however I doubt if there’re a lot of you who own this effort. “Sleeping Under Tartarus” is comprised of two songs (surprise? I guess not), the title-track and “The Scourge Of The Kingdom”, and both are good… I’d say, VERY good. Black / death metal the Greek way; actually each chord, each fucking note bears the resemblance of that famous sound Greek bands are notable for. Surprisingly, the production is fine, so are the musicians. There’re two of them, Emperor Vorskaath on vocals (“nocturnal screams” as he defines it), guitars, drums and keyboards and Morbid (guess whom I’m talking about? Yep, the same guy who’s also knows as George Zaharopoulos and Magus Wampyr Daoloth) on bass. Well, pretty good stuff – especially taking into consideration the fact this 7’EP was spawned eight years ago. (Herr Stalhammar)