Nirvana 2002 - Recordings 89-91

January 8, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Many years ago I was blessed with the privilege of trading tapes around the world. I amassed demos and live shows by the dozens on a weekly basis, hence my love of metal music from the sickly commercial to the most seemingly underground acts. I’m not too proud to say I knew of Mayhem, Immortal and Varg Vikernes (long before he burned a church) simply by word of mouth from my European trading buddies. I count myself fortunate to have been a part of something really special. In that regard, I remember Nirvana 2002 from a passing note I had received from a trader and said “The U.S.A. has heard little of death until you hear this.” Well, considering at the time I was worshipping at the altar of Chuck Schuldiner (Death) and Kam Lee (Massacre), that was a grand statement indeed. I don’t really recall what my first impression was then, so I won’t even insult you with a lie. All I can do is tell you about what I’m hearing now, some 20-years after…

Nirvana 2002 is part of the little-regarded late 80s Swedish death metal scene that produced bands like Entombed (guitarist/vocalist Orvar Säfström actually did a stint in Entombed) and Morbid (with a pre-Mayhem Per Ohlin), and while many bands fell by the wayside only a few managed to carve out a coveted spot in metal history. Sadly, Nirvana 2002 was such a band that fell into demo tape oblivion, but not for lack of talent. I think at that point the genre was being over-saturated with bands. Anyway, the compilation Recordings 89-91 is here from Relapse Records, and for demos that are two decades old the sound is terrific! The CD has everything: demo tracks, live songs, compilation tracks, rehearsals, all of it in its deathly splendor. For my ears, the U.S. death metal scene has always been different from the Swedish death scene in that the U.S. has bands that primarily concentrate on speedy riffing throughout, while many Swedish acts incorporate slower, crunchier sounding riffs. Both are great, but the difference, for me, is noticeable. Nirvana 2002 has such a sound and I’m really shocked they haven’t been amplified to a larger audience. While somewhat primitive, the songs exemplify a typical, yet viable late-80s death sound that could well have been right up there with Obituary or Possessed. In fact, the Possessed comparison is not too far off the mark. While I’ve heard tons of “death” demos from this period over the years, Nirvana 2002 sets apart from the pack in that the songs are well organized, nicely performed and just damn good.

If you like this period of death metal essence, you’ll enjoy this release without regret or reservation. Sweden’s death scene might not be what it used to be (hell, who’s is?), but a step backwards now and again is good for the soul.

Release Date: November 10, 2009
Label: Relapse Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Mourning
2.  Slumber
3.  Zombiefication
4.  The Awakening Of…
5.  Further Beyond
6.  Snake
7.  Physical Excursion /
     Truth And Beauty
8.  Brutality
9.  The Awakening Of…
10.  Watch the River Flow
11.  In Fell Tongues
12.  Mourning (Live)
13.  Slumber
14.  Zombiefication
15.  The Awakening Of…

Total playing time: 47:49

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