Equinox – Journey into Oblivion

Finally, Equinox 2nd full-length album is out! It took a very, very long time (7 years) before it is unleashed upon mankind. Was it worth it you ask? Hell fuckin’ yeah!! If this is what oblivion sounds like, I’ll have a one-way ticket…

Though some underground fans will know this excellent band, most of you will not. Equinox play old school Death Metal and their music spreads the same charm and vibes as Possessed, Pentacle, Sadistic Intent, Necrovore, Venom, Celtic Frost, Incubus, (old) Slayer, Sodom, Usurper and the likes.

While many Death Metal bands nowadays try to beat each other breaking speed records, there are not a lot of bands that realize what the most important thing is. And that, dear readers, is the song. An album may include incredible musicianship or the fastest blastbeats ever, but if the songs aren’t the focus of it all, the album won’t stay in my CD player for long.

Like the aformentioned bands, Equinox do focus on the songs and in their own fashion. Sure, they’re not the most technical or fastest band out there. Who cares anyway? The raw old school Death Metal of this underrated band simply radiates an honesty and hunger that any metal fan will be able to sense.

The variation in the songs is quite high. Most tracks cover perfectly suited headbanging slow and mid-paced parts, while the occasional fast and blasting sections will invoke a lot of the good old moshing. Add to this the majestic riffing and the characteristic voice of Darkness which is a mixture of a grunt and a scream, the old school fans will prematurely ejaculate!

After the ominous intro ‘As midnight approaches’, one is drawn into the musical world called Equinox. From the grooving yet furious ‘Invasions of the angry Dead’ you’re grabbed by the balls and you’re in for an exceptional Death Metal treat. Songs like ‘The Enchantress’ (already a band hymn), ‘Crystallized’ (check out that bass), the title track, ‘Psychic rebirth’ or the cool cover of Possessed’s ‘Seance’ simply kick major ass!

The sound, provided by the Morris brothers at the legendary Morrisound Studios, is very raw and heavy. The thick yet razor sharp guitar sound reminds me a bit of Massacre’s ‘From beyond’, and the bass sound is one of the filthiest chugging sounds I have heard in a long time (maybe on Autopsy’s ‘Severed survival’). My speakers really tremble with fear each time I play this killer record at a high volume.

I think the ancient buy or die applies rather well on ‘Journey Into Oblivion’. A must have for everyone whose heart still burns for old style Death Metal! And for everyone else: get this or be a pussy!

If only Sadistic Intent would finally release ‘The second coming’ they could come tour Europe with Equinox…