Baalphegor
Demo 2002
[Independent]
Baalphegor, the name on its various versions, is a well known name similarly to the names of Baphomet and Morgoth, mythological gods of evil, in one faerie tale or another. Baalphegor, should anyone will bump into that name, isn't by any means the Black Metal band Belphegor, otherwise I wouldn't bother myself writing about them...
Baalphegor, the band, hails from the town of Girona, Spain and the year of its formation is 1996. In the time being, the band already played in concerts in Madrid and Catalonia with names such as Cryptopsy, Vader, Dying Fetus, Yattering and Undertakers. The CD-R demo consists of 3 tracks, an appetizer for Baalphegor's upcoming full length debut album called 'The End Of Descent', what ever that means. In Baalphegor's case, it is actually a benefit not to be able to read the lyrics nor to decipher the vocals, due to their not-very-good English, but that's alright: When the music is good, it usually covers for other flaws. And the music is superb. The band calls its style 'Brutal Death Metal' but I tend to disagree. The truth should be known that by no means is it your stereotypical, cliché sort of Brutal Death, with the genre's banal and typical musical structure and characteristics (see Cannibal Corpse). The vocalist is wonderful, keeps and follows the tradition and standards set by the European greatest Death Metal vocals (which I admire, especially their ability to incorporate power, energy, tamed savagery, clarity of vocal ability and brut character, all into their shouts and growls, achieving a vocal effect that perfectly falls into the Death metal style), the drumming is breath taking, accurate and razor-sharp double bass, beautiful and effective blast bits incorporated into the slow-to-mid tempo somewhat progressive drum work. The guitars are well heard and clear sounding as possible, and the third song even reminds me of Hypocrisy's 'The Forth Dimension' and above that, Hypocrisy is definitely one of the main bands I can think of (In its early, good days) while listening to this demo, but there is no attempt in copying or stealing ideas or sound from this or that band.
The demo was recorded in the most professional way, absolutely crystal clear, and thanks to the clarity one can easily hear all instruments (well balanced) including the skilled vocalist. One of the finest demo recording I've had the honor, and with it the pleasure, of listening to. Check out their upcoming album, contact this promising band, all those who live for pure Death Metal, not being nostalgic or archaic, not being even extremely innovative or progressive, one that is being influenced by many but on the same breath keeps its individual uniqueness, chunky, fat and hot Euro Death, Death Metal the way it was always intended to sound like!
© 2002 c. drishner
Baalphegor, the band, hails from the town of Girona, Spain and the year of its formation is 1996. In the time being, the band already played in concerts in Madrid and Catalonia with names such as Cryptopsy, Vader, Dying Fetus, Yattering and Undertakers. The CD-R demo consists of 3 tracks, an appetizer for Baalphegor's upcoming full length debut album called 'The End Of Descent', what ever that means. In Baalphegor's case, it is actually a benefit not to be able to read the lyrics nor to decipher the vocals, due to their not-very-good English, but that's alright: When the music is good, it usually covers for other flaws. And the music is superb. The band calls its style 'Brutal Death Metal' but I tend to disagree. The truth should be known that by no means is it your stereotypical, cliché sort of Brutal Death, with the genre's banal and typical musical structure and characteristics (see Cannibal Corpse). The vocalist is wonderful, keeps and follows the tradition and standards set by the European greatest Death Metal vocals (which I admire, especially their ability to incorporate power, energy, tamed savagery, clarity of vocal ability and brut character, all into their shouts and growls, achieving a vocal effect that perfectly falls into the Death metal style), the drumming is breath taking, accurate and razor-sharp double bass, beautiful and effective blast bits incorporated into the slow-to-mid tempo somewhat progressive drum work. The guitars are well heard and clear sounding as possible, and the third song even reminds me of Hypocrisy's 'The Forth Dimension' and above that, Hypocrisy is definitely one of the main bands I can think of (In its early, good days) while listening to this demo, but there is no attempt in copying or stealing ideas or sound from this or that band.
The demo was recorded in the most professional way, absolutely crystal clear, and thanks to the clarity one can easily hear all instruments (well balanced) including the skilled vocalist. One of the finest demo recording I've had the honor, and with it the pleasure, of listening to. Check out their upcoming album, contact this promising band, all those who live for pure Death Metal, not being nostalgic or archaic, not being even extremely innovative or progressive, one that is being influenced by many but on the same breath keeps its individual uniqueness, chunky, fat and hot Euro Death, Death Metal the way it was always intended to sound like!
© 2002 c. drishner