ABANDONED SPHINX
“Former Life” (1993)
rating: 4, 5 of 6
“Death Metal Archives” is a new section started with this issue (issues?) and, since I had (at least some kind) of certain experience with “Black Metal Archives” which resulted in many praises as well as numerous suggestions, claims and censures, I’ll try to take ‘em all into consideration… and review really rare and difficult-of-access releases. Although even if I consider them to be ‘rare’, someone else may laugh and say that he has ‘em all and there’re no albums here worth his attention, because they’re not ‘rare’ at all. Well, anyway, it’s up to you, so let’s go… The first one Sweden’s ABANDONED SPHINX with their debut (?) MCD, entitled “Former Life”. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about a label which released it, but it’s owners certainly should have a good taste in music, since this band is definitely worth of interest. At least, when it comes to death and thrash metal lovers. Unfortunately, it’s rather short – “Former Life” features an intro + two songs of progressive mixture between death and thrash metal with a bit hystetical singing and excellent musicianship. Too bad that right after you dig it, this MCD ends… and you have to play it again… and again. And then you stop. And think… why the hell did they cease to exist???
P. S. Perhaps, someone needs additional info regarding ABANDONED SPHINX? Ok. “Former Life” was produced by Michael Ahlstrom and the lineup looks the following way: Henrik Lundgren (vocals, guitars), Ludvig Eklund (guitars), Klaus Gauffin (bass) and Anders Rosarne (drums). Nothing more to tell… (Herr Stalhammar)

AFFLICTED
“Prodigal Sun” (1993)
Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 2 of 6
The ones whom I was talking about in the previous review should pass it, I guess. I mean this review, not “Prodigal Sun”. Released by Nuclear Blast (a beginner label back then, despite that it was their seventy third release!), this LP consists of 11 songs of Swedish death metal, though performed in a rather unusual way. First of all, the lyrics were slightly different from all those ‘gore-metal’ bands, this time dealing with ancient battles and dark ages of heathendom… Someone called as ‘death metal performed by KING CRIMSON’, and he was somehow right in my view… At least, guitar lines heavily remind me of seventies, bass guitar is passed through drive-distortion a-la MOTORHEAD… add some ‘pagan’ howling in “Rising To The Sun” and you’ll get what you wanted… Or not? ‘Not’ when it comes to me. This album truly irrirates me – nothing more, nothing less. Yes, it’s original and, perhaps, even outstanding, but it’s so fucking annoying in the same time! All in all, it’s something ‘for those who dare’… (Herr Stalhammar)

ANTROPOMORPHIA
“Necromantic Love Songs” (1993)
Blackend Records
rating: 5 of 6
Death metal from Blackend Records? Are you kidding? I don’t. Just try to understand that it was six years ago, when VIMPATIOR and AMSVARTNER didn’t even exist… This Netherlands’ band delivers some excellent melodic yet brutal death metal with originality, while their lyrics mainly deal with necrocannibalistic subjects. Just like in case with ABANDONED SPHINX, I should say that it’s really a pity that ANTROPOMORPHIA split up… at least, that’s what I think, since I haven’t heard anything else from them besides this MCD. By the way, regarding this mini… “Necromantic Love Songs” features five songs (“Crack The Casket”, “The Carnal Pit”, “Birth Through Dead”, “Crunks Of Meat” and “Rotted Flesh”) of highly exciting and impressive music of high quality. It’s really hard to tell you what it’s all about, you’d better listen to it yourselves. At least, you won’t regret some wasted money – I assure you! (Herr Stalhammar)

BAPHOMET
“The Dead Shall Inherit” (1992)
Peaceville Music
rating: 4, 5 of 6
This band undoubtedly belongs to the early US death metal generation, while “The Dead Shall Inherit” was one of the most strong efforts released that time. The band consisted of Tom Frost (vocals), Dave Craiglow (guitars), Gary Schipani (bass) and Rick Breier (drums), the same lineup which later became BANISHED. BANISHED, which made their debut with “Deliver Me Unto Pain” LP through Deaf / Peaceville in 1993… Nevertheless, BAPHOMET is what we are talking about at the moment. This release brings some energetic and in the same time somehow boring, mostly mid-paced death metal with a thick sound… Fresh meat, ladies and gentlemen! Well, at least it was ‘fresh’ six years ago… Actually, there’s nothing special here, just some hateful, brutal death metal at it’s best. But sorry, I like faster bands – although don’t get me wrong, BAPHOMET is definitely worth attention, at least when it comes to those who consider themselves death metal freaks! (Herr Stalhammar)

DEAD HEAD
“Dream Deceiver” (1993)
Bad Taste Recordings
rating: 5 of 6
If I’m not mistaken, DEAD HEAD comes from Netherlands, and they truly were one of the best death metal bands over there some time ago. Their style appears as a mixture between death and thrash metal with hysteric, almost black metallish vocals, reminding me of BURZUM at times (a ‘milder’ version, you know). The music itself is very technical and masterly performed, some keyboards are here as well… DEAD HEAD was a promising and innovative band, no doubts! Unfortunately, “Dream Deceiver” is the only CD from them I’ve heard despite that they have few other ‘official’ releases. Someone even told me that they’re still alive… Hope so. (Herr Stalhammar)

DEMIGOD
“Slumber Of Sullen Eyes” (1992)
Drowned Productions
rating: 5, 5 of 6
This is a classic. DEMIGOD unleashed one single album, however it was enough for people who’re still discussing their activities even now… and there’s still a chance (rather little, though) for them to unite. DEMIGOD is the band which gave birth to infamous ADRAMELECH (now on Repulse), it’s the band which was one of the originators of so-called Finnish death metal… Released by Drowned Productions (later – Repulse Records), a sub-division of Spanish Hard Vinyl Productions, it’s definitely a landmark – regarding this particular genre, of course. They never pretened to compose and perform anything outstanding, they just did what they wanted to do – and it turned out great! Recorded at Tico – Tico, “Slumber Of Sullen Eyes” features unbelievably skillful (no ‘techno death’ here, remember that!), dark and sombre death metal with few keyboards here and there… I believe, DEMIGOD were influenced by such bands as POSSESSED, BULLDOZER, early DEATH and MORBID ANGEL more than their contemporaries, don’t you think so? You will, right after you listen to this stunning album… and you should do it now. (Herr Stalhammar)

DISHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
“Expositions Prophylaxe” (1990)
Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Well, these Austrians also appear as well-known band… at least, they appearED as well-known band, since now it seems like everyone forgot about them. Shame on you, because DISHARMONIC ORCHESTRA deserves our attention even now, after nine years passed since “Expositions Prophylaxe” was released. Yes, the sound could be better, but if we won’t take into account this fact, this album just fascinates us… or, more likely, YOU, since it DID fascinate me a long time ago. DISHARMONIC ORCHESTRA tries to stay within the bounds of death / grind music, although they were so different in contrast to countless OBITUARY and DEATH clones! Moreover, have you ever read their lyrics, no, not lyrics, but poetry!? You have to, believe me. This album begins with certain orchestral intro (and ends the same way), and later we have pure massacre, ‘thought-provoking’ massacre, you know. Once again I have to admit that “Expositions Prophylaxe” is a must to have, even despite few shortcomings… (Herr Stalhammar)

PAN. THY. MONIUM
“Dawn Of Dreams” (1992)
Osmose Productions
rating: 5 of 6
In fact, this is a ‘cult’ band as well. “Once again he will Rise from the crypts of Geheel. The God of true darkness and rain. Amaraah, the spectral God from the dimension of Aag cannot reach his might in any form… Raagoonshinnaah, God of all, the almightiest creation, by himself… Follow him, my children, to the well of the ticking clock and open the dawn of dreams…” This is some kind of written introduction to the “Dawn Of Dreams” LP. I have some kind of licenced MC version of this album, the one which lacks any song titles and possesses rather ascetic layout – however who knows, maybe it’s the same with the original version… But ok, enough with all these ‘intros’. Is there anyone who’s still not acquainted with PAN. THY. MONIUM? I guess, there is. Otherwise, who could tell me why am I writing this??? This is one of the first releases from Osmose (an underground and respectable black metal label back then… yeah, times change!), so obviously “Dawn Of Dreams” is more black metallish in comparison to their further efforts. Just read the quoted introduction to figure out what are the lyrics dealing with. Got it? Ok, and what about the music? Well, honestly speaking, together with “Khaoohs” (1994), this is my favorite LP from Dan Swano and co. (oh, it seems like you’re surprised? Didn’t you know that Dan was a singer in PAN. THY. MONIUM?!), simply because it’s one of the most comprehensible and impressive efforts, though still quite avantgarde (well, not exactly ‘quite’… most possibly, ‘very’ is more appropriate word), with plenty of synths and saxophones incorporated. Furthermore, sax sounds like a sax here, not some delirious bleating as on “III”. Vocals vary from deep, grindcore-alike, guttural growls to black metal shrieks… and the same goes for ‘usual’ instruments. Their parts are rather various and extremely complicated, however I bet that no one will ever dare to say that “Dawn Of Dreams” is ‘incomprehensible’ or ‘insane’ album. It was innovative – extremely innovative! – in 1992; if they released it now, it would be considered a huge step forward anyway! Excellent. (Herr Stalhammar)