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The Belgium outfit known as Demonic Empire offers its first EP by way of Bloed En As, a typically low-fi excursion into the depths of musical degradation and aura. With brief sparks of ingenuity and efficiency, the band manages to create a mini album that is fine to hear once around, but might not resonate after that due to much of the music here being, quite literally, everywhere else in a sea of black metal bands that all sound the same. The sub-par production, the high shriek vocals buried in the mix and the early Burzum guitar work make for a potpourri of been there, done that throughout. While I take nothing away from the talent of the musicians, I simply hear nothing original or even different in these five tracks.

“Vergelding” is the best effort on the EP, as it’s rife with some guitar work that harkens every slightly to an early Bathory feel if Quorthon might have found atmosphere to his liking back in 1985; in fact, this is what The Return should have followed in terms of direction, but, alas, it’s not really enough to sustain its existence some 26-years after the fact. The vocals are the same pitch and delivery throughout, so if you’re not familiar with black metal and hear this first you’ll think these guys invented it, but for those of us that have been around the block from the very beginning it’ll leave you wanting something, anything more. 

It’s good for what it is, but what it is has been said a thousand times since 1992 with no real end in sight.
Deathchamber, Demonic Empire, Drifter & Exdeth
April 15, 2011
CHRIS
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Deathchamber - His Will Be Done
Deathchamber emerges from Sweden and centers its existence in the death metal realm to quite an intoxicating level. What I thought might be just some decent death metal took a very cool turn during “His Will is Done” when the atmospheric keyboard kicked in and dropped the mood to a depressive degree without losing the original plateau one bit. Also, rather than overuse the device, it was basically a ‘one-and-done’ for effect. “Through the Flesh Your Souls Be Saved” is everything good about modern death metal, my friends; it’s heavy, blasting fury with a casual implementation of that familiar slow groove often balancing out some of the better death metal songs. Again, we have the proper use of keys for backdrop as the chugging riffs decimate and subjugate the listener. The vocals are growls, but discernable and clear, which is always a huge plus for me. 

Through “Opposite” and into “Fallen From the Grace of God” I rate this band as high as I can due to three necessary points: The absolute efficiency with which they approach death metal, the fluidity and talent of the songs and structure, and the utter crushing feel of the music throughout, which is exactly the three elements of a good death metal band. With combining a bit of early Grave or Convulse with some modern touches of Vader makes for an incredible demo that shouldn’t be missed.

In a sentence, this band shouldn’t be missed and it’ll be in my top considerations at year’s end, that’s for sure. Very well done, guys!  
Demonic Empire - Bloed En As
Release Date:  March, 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.Banvloek  2.Bloed En As 3.Vergelding 4.Verdrongen Angst 5.Plaagzucht          -     Total playing time: 26:28
For a copy of Bloed En As, contact the band via their website:  Demonic Empire
Release Date:  2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.  His Will Be Done, 2.  Through Flesh Your Souls Be Saved, 3.  Opposite, 4.  Fallen From The Grace Of God
-    Total playing time: 16:01
For a copy of His Will Be Done, contact the band via their myspace page (click on link above).
Drifter - Demo 2010
Release Date: 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.  The Clown  2.  Dream Eagle  3.  Tortured Brain
-    Total playing time:  15:14
Swiss metal merchants Drifter have been kicking around since 1983, yet since 1990 the band’s output has been sporadic to say the least. The traditional heavy metal style of the mid-80’s has given way to a speedier, almost thrashy effort in this three-song demo from last year.

In the overall sound there’s a mixture of the early formations of power metal or the tail end of the NWOBHM movement; whatever it is that permeates the texture it’s pretty good. Without falling total prey to the ‘throwback’ label, Drifter powers its way through power-chord heaven with a slight tint of AOR-friendly delivery that never completely crosses that unforgiving line. A very slight Eric Adams tone is heard in vocalist Tommy Lion and he’s actually quite the mark-hitter. There’s no complete devastation in the music, but it’s certainly credible enough to recommend to the fans of the genre. The trio of tracks here is enough to justify Drifter’s credentials as being both accurate and entertaining, though the more versed fan might find little outside of the nostalgic feel to render this demo a reliable suitor for the present era.

I wish I could say that there’s a really memorable riff or melody that can stand out, but there’s just solid music offered n the vein of Manowar or a harder-edged Praying Mantis. 
Listen to Demo 2010 on the band's myspace page (click on link above - demo is not for sale by the band at this time).
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Exdeth - Demo 2010
Release Date: 2010
Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING:
1.  Mass of Slaves  2.  Crush Your Face  3.  Violent Disorder
-    Total playing time:  11:03
Japan’s Exdeth doesn’t rewrite the thrash metal catalog of the 80’s, but it adds a fresh, vibrant take on it in the current day. With its 2010 demo making its way in the underground, this Asian machine of assault renders the headbanger elite happy and contented. It’s nothing new, but nothing too old to not pacify and satiate the masses.

“Mass of Slaves” slashes at the leather couch and yanks all of the innards out as it powers through your speakers. The vocalist’s energetic screaming is not exactly new, but it’s a nice change from the million Schmier clones out there newly tired of channeling Tom G. Warrior for the last four years since Monotheist. The chugging and galloping familiarity of the music adds to the charm of Exdeth and you’d swear these guys were from the Bay area and not the land of the rising sun! It’s a very fine effort, complete with Tom Araya scream at the beginning of “Violent Disorder”. Don’t expect perfect production; it’s very indicative of the era, but it’s an oldster banger’s dream effort if you’re still open to being slain by the mighty fury of thrash metal goodness in the 2000’s.
DOWNLOAD Demo 2010 from the band's myspace page (click on link above).
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