When I started listening to metal back in 1991, Death Metal was at its peak and most of the albums being released in those years can easily be regarded as classics in this genre. Finnish Demigod released their debut album ‘Slumber of Sullen Eyes’ in 1992 and I really wanted this CD. However, being a poor ass student I could only afford 2 CDs per month. And although I held Demigod’s debut album in my hands on many occasions I debated heavily each and every time but choose some other CD over it.
Always thinking there would be time to buy this CD but time went on faster and when I finally had more money to waste on CDs ‘Slumber of Sullen Eyes’ had become a much sought after collector’s item.
The Dance of Joy I did when news reached my ears Xtreem Music was going to re-release this album was immense!
And now, 14 years after holding this CD in my hands I finally hear it! And from the opening intro ‘Apocryphal’ I’m creaming my pants big time. This is killer old school Death Metal and easily an album that matches the brilliance of the milestone albums of its Swedish counterparts like Entombed and Dismember.
I could go on and on raving about how excellent these tracks make you wanna scream, mosh, bang and turn the volume way up. The atmosphere this album still radiates nowadays is amazing. It induces goosebumps. The songs simply kill everything in sight. The guitar sound makes me cry tears of joy and Esa’s grunt is fucken great.
Totally blastbeat free yet the songs contain a lot of fast sections, the focus lies on ripping the listener’s head off with heavy and catchy tunes.
As a bonus the 1991 demo ‘Unholy domain’ has been included on this CD. I actually got it through tapetrading back in the day and it shows where Demigod started and makes this album complete on Demigod’s early 1990s work.
This album is essential for anyone who loves old school Death Metal. If you miss out on this then you will not be taken serious!!
Now only Utumno’s ‘Across the horizon’ has to be re-released and I can die happy…
