Demo 2006

In honesty, I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I do. The imagery seemed all too simple and old, the review descriptions didn't make the demo sound like something I'd like, and I was pissed off that my case got damaged in the post (yes, I know this has nothing to do with the band, but I was still pissed off). Even from listening to it once I found it to be a bit generic on first listen. Well, what can I say? It grows on you.

This is one of those releases which seem generic on first listen (mainly because you've heard all the elements before) but after repeated listens you discover that the band is actually good at writing very catchy music, that sticks in your head and draws you back for more. The music's not easy to describe, but it's not exactly bizarro world out there either. I'd say genre wise it's a black/death metal album (the black metal side coming from Marduk, Dimmu Borgir and 90s Bathory) and the death metal side mainly to do with few riffs and vocals, no particular band similiarities. The viking parts come in the form of melodic, epic, folky riffs and the typical Enslaved-style viking chants layered over the harsher vocals.

Production wise this is well done for a demo, and I'd say everything is mixed at the right level. What's makes this so good is Shadar Logoth's excellent songwriting abilities. After a few spins you'll remember all the riffs on here (and there are plenty of them), all the viking chants and even some of the black metal parts. The solos are nicely done, catchy and melodic. I'd say if you're already into extreme metal then this is pretty accessible stuff. But that's what I like about it, if it wasn't, then it would suck with this style. Heck, there's one part of 'In the Throneroom of Our Eternity' that reminds me of a certain Bubblegum Octopus song, but that's what's great about it. It's just a fine piece of well-written melodic death/black metal. It's aware of what itself is (or should I say, Shadar Logoth are aware of who they are) and it actually overaccomplishes what it set out to do, and is much better than you'd expect a demo of this style to sound.

In short, this is the kind of thing which would sound much better with a really grand production and in the form of a full-length album. I like it, you might too. Check 'em out.