"...again I am a stranger to me, on the excursion to eternity..." fuk off and live all you motherfukers. LYCANTROPHY(Fin) - Sickness Revealed 1989 demo. "Dismemberment of sanity" is a great starting point for this demo, impressive technical super skilled Thrash Metal act. Somehow, due to its Thrash Metal ways, reminded me of CRIONIC(Dnk) on their "The land which once were", quite a coincidence I was listening to that one too, but faster and the ripping vocals are quite similar to what you find in PROTECTED ILUSSION(Fin) and INVOKATOR(DNK) . "Buried in Swamp" is a little bit more deather, more tremolos coming from DEATH(US) but having some similarities to SACRED CRUCIFIX(Fin) in their track "Beyond the Cross", now I think I am being able to identify how their scene was in the late 80s. "Open the gate" is a little bit more melodic in its arrangements, solos,etc... little technical, all musicians are skilled as fuk , vocals are more ala SODOM(Ger) this time with some KREATOR(GER) phrases from "Dying Victims". "After my death" simple riffs joined with unstoppable fingers is what I feel, the atypical drums are also a highlight, as if they were coming from an HC background. "Sleepwalker" screams SLAYER(US) mixed with AUTOPSIA(Ger) , has a different sound, probably different recording session, again, their arrangements are crazy, vocalists approach changed too, more dark and horrid at first, then lunatic as if Martin from PESTILENCE(Hol) may be, the music still complex and dynamic. "Embrionic Cell" took me back to PROTECTED ILUSSION mixed with a Schaefer's vocals ( ATHEIST(US) ) , even bass. NOTE: Sadly the insert of this compilation did not mention these two tracks were from their "Sleepwalker" demo from 1990, that's why differ in terms of sound, awful to know one track was removed because it is included in the 89 demo, I fukin hate this, you end up with an incomplete demo... fuk. I recommend this band to anyone looking to improve their knowledge on finnish scene, is pretty impressive and top quality. MORPHOSIS(Fin) - Standard of living 1989 demo. "Drinking & Fucking" intro depicts what you'll get here, drunkass Thrash Metal. "Fun/We Want..." is the first real track, evolves from the not so serious approach into a kind of KREATOR(Ger) 's . This is definitly not my kind of beer, won't add any more comments, probably for TANKARD(GER) fans. NATIONAL NAPALM SYNDICATE(Fin) - Painful ten Hours demo 1987. "After the fall of NW" killer thrash metal riff influenced by EXODUS(US) and METALLICA(US) with hell of an obscure voice, which seems also influenced by SODOM(Ger) , quite a killer mixture that ends up being quite japanese. "Life is Pain" follows the same line but vocalist made me think of "Malicious Death" by SLOD(Yug) ha! "Werewolf, the Obsession" is this demo last track, which is a little bit more elaborated due tue arrangements on guitars and the voice is ala Sakevi ( GISM (Jpn) ) mixed with Paulo from AGRESSOR(Bra) . Quite a killer demo and pretty unique. Crazy this vocalist was in the Lycantrophy '89 demo reviewed above! This is a really good project I probably dig more into it in the future. Highly recommended!! MENGELE(Fin) - Abominable Thoughts demo 1989, aka. WENGELE. These guys are total thrashers in the vein of ARMOROS(CAN) , MORBID SAINT(US) and the ATHEIST(US) kind of sound and intrincated riffs, in terms of sound I think they sound canadian. "Few lines and tones about Dr. Mengele and his railway selections" is the first track, good vocal effects, followed by "Al little poem describing what people do when they don't like each other" , yes, pretty extensive song names ah? HAHA... good riffs, structures, but it does not amuse me honestly. "Morbid dislike of foreigners" has a little bit more deathrash tremolos and fukin great solos, at times made me think of SOOTHSAYER(CAN) , and "A story about a man who was put in jail for 20 years" is the closing one, also reminded me the last canadian band I just mentioned, pretty good tracks to finish the demo, another good one to dig more into it later. Recommended. All these demos from Finland were released altogether in the Thrashing Relics Volume 1 compilation by Bestial Burst Records, recommended for those willing to expand their knowledge, the compilation is not too cheap for the simple black&white printing and design it has, it lacks of more information, biographies and complete inserts, plus name of demos in the back image including years, all that would have elevated this CD, but anyway, worth it due to its content. Highly recommended, luckily this kills some of the items from my wishlist. NATIONAL NAPALM SYNDICATE(Fin) - National Napalm Syndicate 1989 , vinyl rip. I could not avoid the temptation yes. "911" starts this LP and honestly I was not thinking about listening to a RANDAGI(Ita) , RAW POWER(Ita) , FEARLESS IRANIANS FROM HELL(US) , little CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER(US) , AGRESSOR(Bra) , little DISCHARGE(UK) from the late 70's , probably some SEX PISTOLS(UK) and lots of groove and shit from the crossover sphere. I cannot believe the so clean production, impressive solos and present bass lines. "Ante morte" has the riff from one of their tracks released on their first demo if I am not mistaken, honestly I don't like their style here too much so I did not even bother rechecking that fact. "Deathwish" keeps on the same page so I am tempted to completely ignore this release, I was not expecting what was achieved in this recording, in fact this made me think of the SOOTHSAYER(Can) pathways, what a waste... not recommended, or yes, for those into crossover. Триумфальная Арка (Rus) - Мир-Дьявол - Юбилейное Издание 1989, Aka. Triumphant Arch, WAV files. Well, I had no idea about this project, is a plain Thrash Metal act comming from Russia. Even though the music is well executed, all seems too dull, I don't feel the axebraincutting-sharpasfuk guitars typical from Russia, sometimes it even feels quite progressive and not totally devoted to the Thrash Metal ways but to the more-polished-skilled approach that is too non-aggressive for me, and vocals are not too good either. Sadly, is the first time I am telling this, but don't get it, has nothing to do with the russian bands I have already reviewed here, may be some similarities with KGB(Rus) but not that good and traces of OZ(Fin) in their track "Абаддон" as if it were "Stop Believing". Фронт(Rus) - Металлизация 1987, Aka. FRONT,dubbed tape. This Thrash Metal act is known to me because there's a double CD by Metalism Records who included the 1991 demo from KRUGER(Rus) , the main reason of my purchase years ago. Something that was cleared to me is this, FRONT is not the name used later by KRUGER nor the otherway round, if I said this to any of you outthere, I misleaded you, sorry! I don't remember where did I get that idea from, probably metal-archives or just my awful reading capabilities... anyway isn't it easier to blame others? HA?! my mistake. So, back to the point, FRONT was a Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal band initially known as ЭДС(Rus) , after lineup changes they turned into Фронт, then Фронт suffered from lineup changes too, Фронт musicians offered a plethora metal projects in their country, the best in my opinion are, the already mentioned KRUGER and Штормовое Предупреждение(Rus) who was later known as Крематор(Rus) , this last who delivered one of the most obscure recordings ever in the Russian territory. Specifically speaking about this very release, which was totally unkown to me due to my unordered thoughts regarding the band, this starts particularly as a dirty Heavy Metal band, but from their second track and on, they deliver an intense Thrash Metal in the vein of Коррозия Металла(Rus) with less speed and more dense parts, mostly due to the vocalist and some riffs, Фаланга(Rus) connections can be found too, the other KRÜGER(Rus) from Moscow is also connected, last track has a killer intro similar to what this other project did on their first LP. This release is really good and now I can perceive how this project along with Фаланга and Коррозия Металла set the grounds for the next russian thrashers like KRÜGER and even Аспид , I could even find riffs from the 90s locals STRATUS(Ury) HA! My initial mistake asuming this band was post-KRUGER and thinking "Mortal Surgery" album was part of their progress totally opaqued my perception on them, in fact, I realised I have never listened to "Der Wasser der Köln" album , which is their second release... I will have to dig more into this after spending decent time listening to this very release. Den, once again thanks so much for your guideness on these matters!! Highly recommended for russianthrasharcheodeathers! what a definition HA!? Холостой Выстрел(Rus) - Вампир Demo 1991, dubbed tape. Aka. BLANK SHOT. This starts with an excellent Thrash Metal approach, the riff comes from AFFLICTED CONVULSION(Swe) , if you add that mad/comic vocals you would end up with a clone ha! That's "Кошмарный сон" . This band is known for their LP more than for this demo, here you can see the Heavy Metal influences but Thrash Metal predominates of course. "Вампир" is their excellent track, VAMPYR!!! which ressembles to CRAZER(RUS) on their chorus, yes the good old Russian Thrash Metal! this time it even melts with "Kill Again" riffs from SLAYER(US) after the solos, if you check the artwork of this demo, which is a band's photo, it's all said. "Дай!" follows with something ala CRAZER too again, probably the "UHH!" and also adding some russian form of rythms that end up being as if it were a joke or something, with drunk "la lala la lala" , typical from russian bands like Клиника(Rus) or Коррозия Металла(Rus) , in fact somehow this reminded me of 1988 demo from ANGKOR VAT(Ury) on their track "Estoy muriendo" , may be the almost happy METALLICA(US) riffing with punk vibe. side B jumps with "Страшный суд" ala MASSACRE(US) at first, some Thrash Metal cuts and the voice is what does not let them get more into the Death metal field, but that's not a problem at all, in fact SLAYER is present once more in terms of compositions. "Смех убийцы" has a couple of ideas that I cannot remember where the fuk did I listen to them... I think has some ideas from Speed Metal projects like RAZOR(Can) and VIOLENT FORCE(Ger) but I could listen to some CARAS DE HAMBRE(Pan) on their track "Anarquía para todos" , few ANGKOR VAT also present here at the end and even Крюгер(Rus, St. Petersburg) . "Вырезай!" is the ultimate incantation, little Крюгер once again mixed, with may be EXODUS(US) finishing with METALLICA-ish ways, I just realised that SS(Ven) cannot be left out, guitar sound is pretty similar. I thougth I had already written about them, but seems I did not, so it was my chance to spare some words on another killer project from there, highly recommended! Anyone curious, this was Deluxe-reissued by Metalrace Records on digibook double-CD including their album. Thanks den once again for helping me out that much and sharing it even before being released! INSANITY(US) - 1985 demo , independent, dubbed tape. Is hard for me to write about such a classic, because it's too well known and demands even more attention. This act is one of the best, ahead of their time, skilled as fuk and totally Death Metal. Joe Zuñiga, who died before even their almighty "Death after Death" album, at least left this spectacular demo showing off what their insanity was all about, the two classic tracks like "Fire death fate" and "Blood for blood" are present here, even faster than on their album, and "Ultimate Death" is the one here that is not that well-known... you can even find similarities to POISON(Ger) 's "Slaves of the Crucifix" . Despite being three tracks only, this is killer. Hugely recommended, if by any chance you still know nothing about them, keep in mind you will find a mixture of ARCHENEMY(US) , HELLWITCH(US) demo era , DECEASED(US) demo era and some MORBID ANGEL(US) mike browning era ; in the end classic northamerican death metal on its best form! For those looking for their stuff, remember Dark Symphonies Records released a double CD with early recordings and their first album which is total classic cult too. Консул(Rus) - Ночные всадники 1987-1989 , Aka. Consul, WAVs. This is a Heavy Metal project pretty original, reminds of ACIDO(Ury) , SS(Ven) from their 85 recordings, ATLAIN(Ger) , TRAITORS GATE(UK) not only in music but also the vocal tune, etc, all the mid-80s heavy metal classics inspired by DEEP PURPLE(UK) , LED ZEPPELIN(UK) and IRON MAIDEN(UK) with little BLACK SABBATH(UK) and SAXON(UK) on their most Speed Metal tracks, I would mention Маркиза(Rus) on their most Rock/Heavy metal tracks and Круиз(Rus) from Круиз-1 era and you can even feel something ala RETROSATAN(Arg) on vocals and MOTLEY CRUE(US) , THE RODS(UK) is fully present on their first LP era too, "Nothing's going on in the City" is present on the pre-last track of this demo. This compilation begins with their 1987 demo entitled "Проклятый мир" and gets followed by their 1989 demo "Береги нервы" . This gets more sharp, aggressive on its way , with a decent JUDAS PRIEST(UK) quota also leading to RIFF(Arg) on "Ruedas de Metal" and POKOLGEP(Hun) but the MOTLEY CRUE vibe is still present, I am not mentioning this as something negative, think of "Look that kills" track or "Too fast for love", this demo also has double-kick drums with VOIVOD(Can) -ish riffs from time to time and AVENGER(Ger) style , I believe the german style is powerful here, on top of what they had already practiotioned on their previous demo, I would mention HELLOWEEN(Ger) on their tracks recorded for the "Death Metal" 1984 compilation. I am not dying for this but it was hell of a surprise, definitely this 89 demo is super in comparisson with the previous one. Thanks den , yes, again and again! DERANGED(Can) - Place of Torment 1989, RE 2021 by Supreme Echo. Excellently done reissue, includes a fanzine-like interview with pictures and flyers. This band is a mixture of SLAYER(US) , in their "Hell Awaits" era, DARK ANGEL(US) plus the deathrash parts coming from bands like SADUS(US) , MORBID SAINT(US) and SADISTIC INTENT(US) , think of "Existence", with little NECROPHAGIA(US) , for instance, in their track "Coercion" . The tracks are "Eminence of Terror", "Before your Eyes", "Coercion" and "The Burning" all equally good. This is the first time I read a project hailing the works of MACABRE(US) and even playing "Serial Killer" live, as stated in the interview. Excellent thrash metal, recommended! Thanks mediocridad for the enlightning! LEATHER MISTRESS(Ger) - Talk Dirty 1984 demo, RE on tape by Headbangers Records, Big Gad Wolf and Inverted Inhumation Records. Got to know this thanks to cowboy's newest fanzine issue (read bellow) , and trade it with him (thanks pal!) , I was expecting for a German Heavy Metal band with female vocalist, but I was totally confused, probably mis-read it, but this has no female vocalist, leather mistress was a dancer who was part of their live appearances ha! in my opinion there's nothing to highlight on this project, three tracks of Glam-ish Heavy Metal. For those into that kind of music, could be a good catch, could think of JUDAS PRIEST(UK) with some MOTELY CRUE(US) , it's well done in a bloodyred serigraphied pro-tape including pictures and a german-written short description. 13 (Rus) - Demo 1988 , dubbed tape, it was indenpendently released by the band on CDR this year (2024) . With only three tracks of Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal music, they provided a kind of Russian ACIDO(Ury) , the first riff even ressembles to ACID(Bel) , so this obviously shocked me! This seems to be a total hidden gem not yet officially released by any label on any format, who knows why... may be because having only three tracks, those are "Tikek" , "Tavo meile sau" and "Mes dievai", but at least this should be dubbed on tapes! If I had to mention another project to link them, it would be Фронт(Rus) and Тяжёлый День(Rus) and some little III KATEGORIJA(Slo) due to the MOTORHEAD(UK) influences, I would remark the good solos, drumming and the impressive vocals. Killer surprise den! highly appreciated!! WARHATE(Bra) - Thrashing Invasion demo 1988, RE 2020 by Dark Archives Records on CD. This is the typical brazilian Deathrash band you are going to be pleased listening to it. It was around 10-15 years ago when I got their name while looking for bands from 1988 and this was on my list, rediscovered in a shangrilanianbeerattack night with joakil when listening to another of the reissues of this very label ( SAURON(Swe) tape ) , that's why I ended up finally getting it, who would think this was going to be discovered by someone else somwhere in time for it to be reissued. This is a mixture of SLAYER(US) and "Plunching to megadeath" by HALLOWS EVE(US) and the SODOM(Ger) spectre with their own almost HC touch that could related them to EXPLICIT HATE(Bra) and vocal from time to time remind to Angel from the mighty VULCANO(Bra) . This demo is highly recommended for anyone in the depths of braziliomanicdeathrashuttertombs! EXPULSED ANGEL(Ger) - HORDA(Chl) - Split Rehellsal 2021 . This is a kick in your guts rising a beerpunch in the air to the underground ways. EXPULSED ANGEL's side is blackened death metal in primitive ways, but not that much, they are skilled! excellent recording session, how this germans do not make mistakes!? fuk! excellent recording for those into their demo! HORDA's side is violent, in the very same vein of HELL AVENGER(Chl) , and also wicked, fuk I did not know that, the vomiting vocals are just like those from rodrigo, with fierce drumming and noisy guitars. I have to be honest, this is the first time I pay attention to this project, totally chaotic and well done, quite experimental, as this is a rehearsal, including BLOOD RITES(Chl) cover, I presume chure is on guitars, who's on bass???! alex!? amazing , the clean vociferations are not my kind of beer but all is perfectly embraced, it's impressive, and this is only a rehearsal! This represents more than the session itself, hail for those bastards sharing madness out there altogether! Thanks phil, despite getting it into my hands the very same day of your comeback to the southern lands after 5 years HA! Mario fuk off! was it my fault!? probably! fuk javier, your double kickdrum is hell of a thunder! Greetings to the bastards of the underground pits from a humble, yet ignorant fuko, here in the lands of the unmetal wastelands. Those not close to EXPULSED ANGEL, they are into pre "Into the abyss" POISON(Ger) 's era (even before "Awakening of the dead" ) and HORDA sounds more greek at times with mixtures coming from the Czech scene; be aware, I am not too into the black metal vibes but I'm trying to do my best for a proper description. A meaningful release in this modern era. By the way, don't you hate the FUJI slim jewel cases! HA!! fuk of your jewish GOD! (tape-dealer) . Smelly psychoFegan fart for you Steppe! dont be jelous phil, it can be shared! INFERNAL CURSE(Arg) - Revelations beyond Insanity 2023. Zzooouuhh Records CD and Sodomistic Rituals on protape. The last blackened death metal intent from these darknessvomiters. I have to admit this time this is focused much more into the classical, somehow, Deathrash veins, due to few tremolos plus tupatupa, besides having the black metal aura. Ressebles much more to what they have practiioned before, like traces of their first album, vocals effects seems much more subtle and not invasive, so feels more real and less mumbled. I have to admit solos are great accompanied by impressive solid bass action and effective drummings. Nowadays these famous goats do not need introduction, so do not hessiate getting stuff from them. VAR(Cze) - No Place to Hide - Není se kam skrýt demo 1990, WAVs. Wrote down this name when at Leo's place ( EJECUTOR (Chl) ) ; who happened to had at hand the Ultra Metal Compilation tape right there at the front in his collection and encouraged me to check this project. Now thanks to my friend mediocridad, I am able to have a better intake on this. If you already know SAX(Cze) you will recognize the same ideas, even in vocals, but at a less professional level and slower, and yes, still being a demo recorded on a rehearsal room, this sounds great. I still prefer SAX but this is a good too if you are willing to expand your knowledge on those projects from the 90s like the wrong-doings of DEBUSTROL(Cze) and TERMINATOR(Cze) during that period of time mixed with Pavel's (SAX) vox. Not my prefered Thrash Metal but you get the idea. VAR(Cze) - Brutální chaos - Brutal Chaos 1991, WAVs. This is of course the progression of the band, sounds much cleaner with excellent solos. Anyway, these demos do not stick on my brain, at least not yet, may be in some years, funny the "Hit the light" czech-ed version! For now what I can say is, Thrash Metal from Czech Republic for any curious thrasher out there. REALM OF SHADES(Ger) - #10 . Fanzine coming from germany, in english, done by my friend cowboy. I think this is the first issue I read of this fanzine, and the way it's done is great. The questions are well done, showing the real interest behind the interviewer. Here you will find a good in-depth interview with MARTHE(Ita), which I dont share its tastes in music but some other italian monickers appear here and there to write down for further analysis he he. As one can see on the front artwork, a picture of LAS BRUJAS(ARG) was chosen, and a biography written by Graciela, the vocalist/guitar player, was included, pretty good information. Another interview with the EXPULSED ANGEL(Ger) bastards, hard not to read extensive ints from them he he, great one, Prost meine scheißeKöpferen Freunde! Some good reviews, I like the way those are written, also fanzine reviews, which are not that common nowadays, even including every fukin contact, that was excellent. A good interview with SHITANGEL(US) , which I don't know them, I will have to dig ; A great int with ULVEZ(Ita) cheers dani! An excellent DEATH INVOKER(Per) int, from the south I salute you Juan! Totally recommended! Congrats on this newest issue cowboy!! BESTIAL DESECRATION(Ger) - #8 , a german fanzine written in english done by johann sebastian bach from Destruktion Records, who is also behind MORBID FAITH newsletter. This has in depth interviews with complex questions and quite lengthy ones. Overall you perceive the intense, sometimes abusive, exposed hatred, towards every topic in general terms, in my opinion too much, but at the same time I understand the vision, its aim. This is the first issue I fully read and due to that matter, becomes quite tiring, so it's not an easy/fast pace reading, you have to take your time, I think I can compare this with technical metal at some points, like a good album difficult to easily digest ha! Here you'll find NUCLEAR REVENGE(Spa) good int, spectacular INFAUSTES(Par) interview, outsanding HELLFIRE(Chn) int, good OLD(Ger) int , another good one from DETHRONER(Ita) among others I cannot recall right now plus reviews fanzines/releases. Thanks pal for sharing this one with me and for taking time to explain few things to me, totally appreciated, great work and recommended for those looking for obscure project from nowadays, total respect on this dedicated support to active projects!!