Second output from Turku's metallers, second demo. Pilgrims From Tarterus (from now on: PfT) play metal that is quite hard to be described. They are definitely influenced by black metal, dark metal and such things. That's it for a big part. I also can't pull any bands as PfT's straight influences, even though their metal sounds familiar.

Songs do not follow any normal structures, but I quess the band have followed their instincts. Especially 'Call to Oblivion' flows nicely and manages to surprise with it's excellent, if short, acoustic part. It fits in perfectly and this kind of surprising elements usually work as advantages, so I encourage PfT to come up more with stuff like it. 'Scenes on the Battlefield' is definitely more straight, in terms of parts. It is not as unique as the opener. 'Of the Chivalry' is a short song, but it has surprisingly many parts and works better, thanks to its fast pace. I don't know, but is that one part like humppa or something?! I do not mean in a bad way. 'Realms of Tarterus' sounds somewhat Swedish, maybe Dissection-like, but there's a lot work to be done before PfT are that grim! Good work with "rough part-calmer part" ideology. And those acoustics work like hell, bringing Lovercraftian images to my mind! 'The Black Wall Grows into My Skin' is a 7+ minute epic, building for a long time and then going on harder gear, with (twin?) guitar melody sounding like Iron Maiden, but never too much.

All in all PfT's music needs to be listened and not played on a background. You won't hear tightest playing on this one, so more practice. Hopefully synth player has a possibility to come up with his own sounds and effects, because preset sounds tend to sound boring sometimes. Vocals are one dimensional growling, but more in the music, not over it. This sounds demo, but still quite good at that. At least PfT aren't another Children Of Bodom or Emperor clone. It'll be interesting to see where the band goes from here. And by the way, their logo looks cool!

Reviewed by Lane
01/06/2003 13:13