Sorcery are indubitably one of the most overlooked and underrated bands from Sweden's 80's/early 90's death metal scene. Their recording career spanned over the course of 5 years ('87 to '91) in which they recorded 3 demos, a 7" and an LP.By the time Sorcery had gotten around to recording their second demo, 1988's Ancient Creation, they still had a sound that was somewhat planted in a Repulsion-like death/grind sound. Although it is definitely different from Swedish death metal sound that would develop shortly later, this demo is still a great recording. It shows the band at the more pummeling and bestial stage in their development. The riffing and song structures were more simplistic and it is just overall much more raw. Anyone into the Repulsion/early Fatal (US) death/grind sound will definitely dig it. The production is absolutely wretched and caked in filth. Each instrument is heard separately, but each one is just so soaked in sludge that it turns it all into one large bombardment of chaotic and primal fury.
Unholy Crusade, released 1 year later, shows the band at a more developed stage in their sound. The musicianship had gotten tighter, the songwriting had gotten a bit more intricate, and their style had progressed more towards what the classic Swedish sound would. It is hard to believe a band could change their sound this drastically within a year of the previous recording. One of the significant changes on Unholy Domain is the tuning of the guitar and bass. Both are at a much lower register then they were on Ancient Creation, which makes the demo sound as if it has been saturated in thick, bubbling sludge. The drums just contribute to the overall oozy feel by giving this recording an overall much slower and mid-paced sound. The dismal and obscure atmosphere of the demo comes from the production job and the occasional use of synths, both are significant factors in bringing it closer to what would become the glorious Swedish sound.I will be uploading the 7" and LP within the next week or so, so keep checking back.
.jpg)
.jpg)
5 comments:
I actually just checked out Bloodchilling Tales recently and haven't been able to find their other stuff on blogs. This is very helpful.
i got the LP on a tape somewhere and at the time i quite liked it.
This blog freakin' rules, greetings from Craigore
Ancient Creation is one of my all-time fav demos.
these demos are better than bloodchilling tales in my opinion. the demos have that noble, feral yet bookish classical black/death/thrash atmosphere whereas the lp sounds good, but its riffs are cliched (although i'm not sure about its overarching composition; ive only given the album a couple casual listens) and so the album is made redundant in the shadow of its higher-up predecessors (autopsy/entombed).
Post a Comment