A young band from Slovakia, Ensanguinate, present their 3-song debut demo. There is no gothic atmospheres here, all you vampire freaks; instead, one should get ready for some death metal, that draws from old vibes. Like from 1980s, that is.

However, this doesn't have any clinical, dead-on-a-slab feel either. This is intense and energetic. Clearly carrying certain Swedish trait, but not sounding too much like that typical low-tuned Stockholm death metal; more like old Hypocrisy, Nihilist (from Stockholm, ha!) and steadfast groove of The Crown and Defleshed. There are also clear links to old Death and other US death metal pioneers.

The demo begins with a very ghastly riff and atmosphere, soon exploding into fast and attacking bit, thanks to more thrashy riffing (well, it's from where death metal evolved from anyway). Soon it's descending into mid-paced horror again, it offer black metal tinged melodiousness. The drumming features lots of D-beats, some blast beats, and slower moments with good use of a drum kit. The other two songs have more kind of a "killer" vibe to them, being more aggressive than the opener, featuring some tremolo picking. Guitar solos are like old NWOBHM styled, but boosted up.

The vocals are echoing throaty growl, that is also powerful, part Jeff Walker of Carcass, part Patrick Mameli of Pestilence, ending up as a "voice that I cannot place, but is fucking familiar!" Anyway, the vocal delivery is somewhat varying. All good on this department. Actually, the whole production is a bit echoing, roomy, and well-balanced. Like old and new alloyed.

One thing that I noticed, was the similarity of the compositions (especially the 2nd and the 3rd song), and this is the biggest drawback here. Still, Ensanguinate's debut demo should please fans of the old times style extremity.

Reviewed by Lane
02/12/2021 20:44