Holland's Pestilence was one of the pioneering technical death metal bands. The band's debut album 'Malleus Maleficarum' was released first time on CD in 1998. Displeased Records made another good deed when they included both of the band's demos on the CD. 'Dysentery' (cavernous death metal) and 'The Penance' (thrash/death hybrid) were released in 1987. So, this reissue includes all the music from the band's early years. 'Affectation' appears as 'Cycle of Existence' on the album, by the way.

'Malleus Maleficarum' is a thrashy piece of metal, with a adequate tinge of death metal. Both thrash and death metal riffs go hand in hand, just like they did on Sepultura's 'Beneath the Remains' (1989), but Pestilence are so much different. The Kalle Trapp production makes this sound even more thrash. The guitar work is very varied, from atmospheric haunting melodies to warp speed riffage. The lead guitars are partly experimental, with some fine composed solos and chaotic Slayer-style guitar sodomy. The guitars sound fucking ripping and thick at the same time. Generally, the songs are fast, but they are skilfully composed and ferocious attacks are interrupted by slower breathing spaces. Pestilence had found their own sound with this debut already, even though there are familiar thrash/speed metal elements. It's that otherworldly vibe... The band's performance is thoroughly youthfully energetic and powerful, plus skilled.

You can hear, that Martin van Drunen (later in e.g. Asphyx) mangled his throat here: His vocals are disruptive, not growling, as you can hear him doing somewhere else. He spits the words rapidly. Of course there are backing gang vocals at times, as this is thrash metal. The lyrical themes cover genetic manipulation, killing, power of politics, death, religious wars and sickness etc.

This package is musically perfect, but there could have been some liner notes or something. Now there are only lyrics and demo covers, but that's better than nought. The audio has been boosted up, I presume, but it's pure 1980s thrash mayhem. The production is airy and breathing, well suited for the music of this ilk.

Every song can stand on its own, and is different to another. Perfect 'Subordinate to the Domination' alone makes this album a must for every thrash maniac and even death-heads should check this classic out. NOW! And pick up all three other Pestilence albums, too, even though every one is very different.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/26/2006 23:12