Hmm, not entirely sure where to start with this nicely put together package. It's not an album or even a compilation, more a "hey, we're still here after twenty years and there's a new album out soon !" type of thing. So with two new audio tracks and six live video clips (says nine but three are intros) how to treat it?
How about what it is; an introduction to the band to me. Not that the name is exactly unique; it is unfortunately one of those names that I must have seen used by a dozen bands over the years with one spelling or another. Still with twenty years in the scene and the releases to prove it, this Polish Satanic dark metal crew have more right to it than many.
First up we have two new studio cuts with 'Black Forest' (please leave gateau jokes by the door) and ' God Delusion'. This is harsh but melodic black metal with the death metal engine room still intact, particularly with the hammer drums. There is a dash of Root's Big Boss vocals in places; not that rich baritone of his but in the strange guttural, strangled voice which often takes centre stage here as the more traditional rasps and screams are scattered in the background to excellent effect.
It's really solid stuff; a filled out sound and the sharp edged melody thrust in and out of the granite and memorable. Its the kind of precision you find with some long standing death metal crews, as though they've been pumping iron for two solid decades and in all bodes well for 'Misanthropy'.
To the live clips, then. We'll pass on the second clip because at least on my eqipment the sound is so dire it is impossible to tell what is going on. Not the bands fault, and judging from the crowd it sounded better live, so just one of those things. The visual quality is OK though, kind of decent YouTube quality.
This leaves three live tracks and one live clip overdubbed with a studio track 'Frost' as a promo. Oddly these work as a great comparison for Pandemonium as they highlight a tight band who can deliver most of what they record where it matters; live.
It also shows of a nice if basic stage set with a distinctive sigil that transforms the lead mic into almost a pulpit and demonic images out of the Exorcist (Pazuzu I believe) as backdrops. Theres a bit of Behemoth in the look of bassist and guitarist either side of the stage whilst centre Paul the vocalist lets his shaved head keep in constant, almost punishing movement and is very much the live focus.
The vocals are more simple with none of the varied backing of those two studio tracks and though reasonable it very much leaves those two intense bookends of guitar and bass to let the music carry itself. Unholy Existence is the best track on show here and I wouldn't have headed to the bar run into this wall at a festival.
Be interesting to see what the new album brings.
Good solid stuff.
http://www.myspace.com/pandemonium_pl
Gizmo
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