Although ‘Demonstration MMXXIII’ is the first offering of this new American outfit, it does not consist out of newbees. On the contrar, the trio are also active in Void Rot and Nothingness as well as the Sentient Ruin Laboratories recording act Aberration. Yet, with Annihilation Cult they are definitely on a different side of the noisy spectrum. This pure Ross Bay Cult worship, done the right way.
The cover art for this 5-track demo is quite minimalistic, but with a logo that clearly bears resemblances with Revenge’s it wears their musical influences proudly on their sleeves. The wild pummelling drums, grinding guitars and pitch-shifted vocals eliminate every last bit of doubt. Annihilation Cult is a band that pays homage to bands like Blasphemy, Revenge, Black Witchery, Proclamation and Conqueror. A special mention goes to Von, whose classic ‘Satanic Blood’ gets a cover version to close off this massive piece of nasty grinding audial violence.
Yet, when the violence slows down a little and the music gets a thorough doomy vibe to it, then the band shows its most malicious side. It is exactly this balance in dynamics, between the slower and dragging parts and the frantic outbursts of insane violence that makes ‘Demonstration MMXXIII’ stick for the most part.
Not too long ago I reviewed a demo from Luciferian Annihilation Cult from Germany and this band does not only share a major part of its name with these Americans, it also does musically. This makes me hoping for a further, global spreading of the “Cult Of Annihilation”.
