Ego Sum Lex Mundi

The second demo from Decomposed brings changes. While the first demo tape “Sermons of Morbidity” surprised me, as it didn’t have much in common with the future doomy style of Decomposed, this second tape, “Ego Sum Lex Mundi” is much closer to that. Definitely Decomposed decided to go in completely different direction from what they’ve done on the debut – maybe they’ve done it under a strong influence of other British bands or maybe they just felt that the grinding / death style from the first demo sounded too typical and boring?! Who knows, anyway “Ego Sum Lex Mundi” presents a band evolving.

The best way to spot that is to listen to the opening song “Burials / Dying Diseased”, which is more or less the re-recording of the song from the first demo. But…! But the thing is you can hardly say it’s the same song. The opening theme remained pretty much unchanged, but then the following riffs are all slowed down totally, played like 10 times slower, what gives just such a different mood from the original version. OK, they may have kept that bit faster riff in the middle part of the track, but as overall the song seems to be much heavier, slower and… well, in fragments it reminds like something between Bolt Thrower and Anathema. Even the vocals remind me of Darren White’s deep growling. I guess I don’t have to mention that the “Ego Sum Lex Mundi” version of “Dying Diseased” is also ten times better than the original.

Then the second song starts with a riff, which I can kill someone, but is a rip off of a riff from another band… the problem is that I can’t put a name on it now (yhhh, old Tiamat maybe??). I just know I’ve heard it somewhere else. Anyway, “Infectious Growth” is really killer song, more mid paced maybe, with some crushing slow riffs here and there also, but total crazy headbanger. I also like the occasional melody that appears in it. Definitely it’s the best song on the demo! Finally “Procession of the Undertakers” is one, damn slow and rotten doom / death metal motherfucker in classic Winter / Anathema / Paradise Lost tradition. Whole song is just slow and brutal, with some guitar solos… It fastens a bit in the mid part, just like Anathema’s “Sleepless”, but that’s just a short fragment.

Production wise “Ego Sum Lex Mundi” isn’t the most professional of the demo recordings I’ve ever heard, but it’s fine in my opinion. Such harsh and raw production surely fits well this type of music. All I can say to resume this review is that this second Decomposed demo is much better than the debut, the band progressed a lot, I really like it and I’m sure it will appeal to all those who’re into really archaic, death / doom demos.