Excellent demo from Mutiilation, "Ceremony of the Black Cult", released back in 1993. I had no idea that the band had been around this long. Here are five tracks of typical Mutiilation BM; terrible yet complimentary productions which brings out the dissonance and reverb in the guitar and vocals. The drumming is adequate, keeping in time perfectly while not distracting the listener with tricks or fills. The vocals however are much different than later Mutiilation. I can't pinpoint if this is because of the unique production, which so well clouds all the music, or rather, if it is a different vocalist than Maynoch (please excuse any spelling error here). Either way, the vocals are excellent and bring out a curious longing feeling in the music, not unlike that found on the first song of "Vampires...".

The guitar is not overpowering, but certainly competent in it's own right. In a few spots I could pick up tapping licks, which surprisingly, accommodate the music exceptionally well. The songs are structured well, relying on mid- tempo pace and a strangulating atmosphere. Very good material from the beginnings of the French black metal scene.

© 2002 orodruin