Escarnium, Sepulchrum, & Thrawsunblat

May 31, 2010

CHRIS

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Escarnium - Covered in Decadence

Release Date:  June 14, 2009
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1. Covered In Decadence  2. Enfeeblement And Iconoclasm  3. His Final March  4. Slaves Of An Ending Fate
-    Total playing time: 16:07

Hey, when did Bloodbath and Incantation become Brazilian?

Yeah, the first demo from Brazil’s Escarnium titled Covered in Decadence is a small paragraph right out of the Swedish death metaller’s playbook on its title track. While hardly a carbon-copy, it is a pretty good likeness in select spots, which is a plus for a death metal band trying to find music that will ring out for the long haul. That sets up the stage for a pretty decent undertaking.

Victor Ellian’s vocals are not exactly as fine-pointed as Mikael Akerfeldt’s, but he manages to put out an interesting, if a bit typical vocal performance that is both viable and keeps your attention. Musically the band is pretty tight with some overall decent production. “His Final March” is a volatile assault of death metal goodness that recalls early Incantation and shows intelligence with timely tempo changes and good guitar work of the drop-tune variety.

For a four-song demo to start with, Covered in Decadence is a death metal prequel for what might be a lengthy journey for a pretty good band. If you can see yourself popping a demo into the CD player more than a once, you might have stumbled on to something good.

Thrawsunblat - Demo 2009

Release Date:  2009
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING: 1. Black Sky  2. Set Us Ablaze 3. Misted Shores  4. Slake the Earth  5. Through the Ice  6. Fire Still Burns  7. She, Arboreal  8. Vastland
-    Total playing time: 37:38

Canada’s black metal scene is emerging ever slowly these days. The two-piece called Thrawsunblat adds its name to the list, and right out of the gate the music is really well-produced, nicely-polished black metal.

There is a genuine air of that Scandinavian sound throughout - surprisingly so, actually. The vocals added a harsh tone that was discernable and fits the music nicely…until the clean tone in the opening track came in and quickly sounded like one of the multitudinous mallcore bands with emo hair and lackluster effort. I’m a little put off by such an abrupt shock to the system. Please don’t water down otherwise good music!

To be honest, I like this demo in all of its harsh glory, which has the dark flavor necessary for such music. The music is heavy, flowing metal that is both talented and catchy. “Set Us Ablaze” is one hell of a ride; the old-world Viking feel is throughout this amazing track, and it’s obvious these guys know their craft. The lyrics all through the demo are understandable and quite good, the product of a pretty solid production level for a demo. Another standout is “Fire Still burns,” a throwback to the Setherial-like feel. Without resorting to the usual labored black metal devices of silly lyrical effort or rudimentary guitars with weak Frost-like drumming, Thrawsunblat rises above the norm nicely.

I truly think this demo is a great find; the music of Thrawsunblat is a good experimental black metal experience which I think even the most ardent, critical fans will enjoy.

Sepulchrum - A Sepulchral Theme

Release Date:  March 15th, 2009
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1. Deathwise  2. Silent Hatred  3. A Sepulchral Theme
-    Total playing time: 14:08

Denmark’s Sepulchrum is a blackened death quartet that has reissued its demo with “much improved sound”. Well, to be honest it’s okay at best, but does nothing for me in terms of resonance or impact. There’s simply nothing here that will stick to your musical ribs either throughout or after the last chord.

The three songs here are decent, if predictable and a tad trivial. The second track “Silent Hatred” starts off pretty good, but then becomes a literal mess of the typical low growling vocals seemingly hurried along, only to slow to normal speed when the initial stagnancy has set in. Aside from a couple of familiar but cool riffs A Sepulchral Theme simply does nothing to make itself stand out in a scene already overcrowded with lackluster, boring bands. I honestly didn’t even realize the demo was over until I no longer heard music, not a big selling point I’m afraid.     

Covered in Decadence can be purchased directly from the band via their myspace page (clink on link above).

DOWNLOAD A Sepulchral Theme FREE from the band's  website here: http://www.sepulchrum.net/discography

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DOWNLOAD Demo 2009 FREE from the band's  myspace page (click on link above).

DEMO ARCHIVE