After all the abominations that Hammerheart has unleashed onto the world of late, of which Thyrfing, Ishtar and Battlelust should be the most obvious perpetrators, I deemed it almost unthinkable for this release to have any redeeming qualities whatsoever, and I am pleased to report that I am indeed quite pleasantly surprised.

Thanatos have apparently been around for some time now, with this release dating back to 1990, and the sound and aura of the record does indeed hark back to an earlier age in the annals of death metal, before overt technicality and schlocky gore took its precedence among the death metal nobility. In short, this is stripped-down, basic, veritably old school death metal, and a glorious foray at that. Seeing as I have an inclination to compare bands with each other, I can draw parallels between this release and their contemporaries Sinister, Death and Pestilence in particular. Thanatos’ formula is strikingly similar to Malleus Maleficarum era Pestilence, one rife with primitive, chunky Dark Angel rifferama, hoarse, barked vocals and haphazard skin bashing, all taped together with a production that is so sorely missed in the modernity of our metal climate.

Lyrics are of the not-so-literate but honest and organic socially conscious variety, perhaps reminiscent of Krabathor’s in many respects. Song quality is generally consistent throughout, making for a satisfying (and heaping at over 70 minutes) helping of hearty old school goodness, minus the schlock and contrived nature of much modern death metal, and chock full of all the endearing prerequisites of a bygone age. If that sounds like your sort of thing, do give it a try, it won’t serve to disappoint. As for me, I feel the lingering need to make room in my expenditure for the other Thanatos reissue.

[ 7.5 ]

© 2000 equimanthorn