Now this is quite tasty sounding. Osculum Infame have now officially reached cult status in the underground, but due to my slow nature this was the first release I'd got my hands on (I now have a few more and they even have a CD). Bringing along some very evil sounding countrymen these two quality bands make a very worthwhile demo, and in that respect an almost must listen for lovers of underground black metal. OS themselves play a fast paced, somewhat melodic style of black metal which can be compared to a rawer, messier, and much more pissed off version of Old Man's child (thus making it better in a violent way). The two tracks given to us here are top-notch. One second were listening to some fast paced melodic riff sections filled with cranky vocals (again sounding somewhat like an angrier version of Old Man's child), and the next were being treated to a more laid back (yet creep) atmospheric section. Keyboards here are quite excellent, and actually add atmosphere rather than just filling up space. Skipping over to Funeral, we find a band sounding like a far superior/less-annoying version of Israel's Bishop of Hexen. I suppose I'm saying that simply because the vocals are done in a similar fashion (the VERY high pitched rasp) and keyboards are used up front. But the three songs from this band (one of which contains more easy sounding vocals from the guitarist) are really quite excellent. Keyboards and riffs sound very epic, and in that respect, through the excellent melodies created, give the listener something worth concentrating on. Two excellent bands, worth checking out, and who will be getting further support from myself as I hunt for more releases from them.

A.M.S.G
B.P 1206
76177 Rouen Cedex
FRANCE

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