Degenerate's first demo from 2003 was a nice, promising package of melodic yet punching metal. This second demo was recorded quite soon after the debut, but is a bit different affair generally.

There's been no changes in line-up and it can be heard. All around tight performance from the band, who's partly been together for under a year only. Guitar duo of misters Mikael Ekstedt and Andreas Backa are like telepathically linked twins. However, this is not as melodic or positive-sounding as the debut (more like thanks to its opener 'Blinded'). Songs are longer than on the debut, but also have more stuff in them. Still they feel a tad too long at times. Generally, the music is more twisted now and therefore it didn't strike on first few listens. Nice lively riffing of the mid-paced title track soon began to weave the web around me. 'Tools...' sound more positive at first, but moody joyless leads and tempo changes take the song towards darker areas. 'Lenore' is darkest song on offer, based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem with the same name. It mixes 1980s and newer death metal styles. Those clean sung vocals are awful, even though weepy as fits with the story, and spoken poem is nice. 'Ghostless' is missing some melody, but also punch. It is also a bit monotonous. Basically, the songs get more inferior towards the end (the first four are counted). 'Possess...' is a short instrumental with a Evil Dead sample. Works well. Generally, it is Eucharist that comes to my mind, even though I think Degenerate are on the right track when thinking about influences. I just can't help it, maybe there's a similar guitar tone or style, I don't know.

Sound-wise this is heavier affair. Guitars are somewhat muddy. Those rhythm ones, since lead guitars are clean. Snare drum sounds flat this time, but maybe it fits better with the overall sound. Otherwise the sound is good demo quality. Vocals are mostly John Tardy kind of agonized roar, with some slight variation to lower roar.

Okay, Degenerate have created another good demo. On some occasion this is better than the debut demo, sometimes the debut is better. The band are able to create music with individual touch. I think it's more individual this time around. It also needs more spins to open.

Reviewed by Lane
09/09/2004 16:02