SOULLESS / PANDEMONIC GENOCIDE / ARMINIUS split CD 2005 review

SOULLESS (Pol) / PANDEMONIC GENOCIDE (Pol) / ARMINIUS (Ned) – In shadows of the damned we reign
Split CD 2005 – Old Temple
19 tracks – 53’08
Rated: 7/10 – 6/10 – 5/10
A pure underground product coming in a gatefold card box, pretty unusual maybe a bit fragile but a nice idea anyway: a split CD gathering three death metal bands playing something else than VADER alike music, isn’t this attractive?
SOULLESS (now renamed SOULLESS PROFANATION) is opening the gates of obscurity with five tracks originally featured on their tape “Peri Psyches”. Those who missed the first assault have a second chance to get executed. Here you have some quite good dark death metal, a bestial mixture of IMMOLATION and MORBID ANGEL, a pity that the drums suffered from a back mixing and sound so tiny next to the heavy and massive guitars. A lot of solos every where strengthening the infernal mood of the whole stuff; it can sometimes sound chaotic but I think it makes the music not boring to listen taking in consideration the fact you’re not too demanding about the musical arrangements: not a symphony here, this is hell!
Probably more rigorous regarding the sound, PANDEMONIC GENOCIDE is the most blatant disciple of polish death metal school. Their satanic death metal, rather common, is undoubtedly well performed and offers some short atmospheres by the used of keyboards (fortunately not too much!). If you can hear influences like DEICIDE or DIABOLIC in their hellish hymns they remind me a lot about the early records of their landmates of HATE (before they tried to follow BEHEMOTH in the blast-beats competition).
Hey! A Dutch band that doesn’t play brutal death, isn’t this surprising? Well, ARMINIUS is more fast death metal oriented and rooted in the beginnings of DEICIDE (1st album), sharp guitar sound, fast and insane solos and almost the same vocal eructation as Glen Ben(&)Ton. Absolutely no ounce of originality but maybe those who think DEICIDE is dead after the first album may find this ok.
All in all, a good split with unknown bands that needs a chance to be heard as they have enough potential to please some metallers attached to the early releases of their idols.
Contact: Old Temple – Ul. Chelminska 108 D/40 – 86 300 GRUDZIADZ – POLAND
www.oldtemple.com old@oldtemple.com