Canada’s Apocalyptic Fear have their first 2 demos released as a collection for the first time by China’s Awakening records.
For the uninitiated. Quebec’s Apocalyptic Fear rose from the ashes of thrash act Kherphren in 1991. Their first demo Decayed Existence emerged in 1992 and their second, Dawn of the Ritual in 1994, before inexplicably splitting up that year, back when old school death metal was simply death metal before it mutated into the multifaceted beasts we know today.
There is a naivety and energy on this collection, that if you were there will take you right back to the seedy bars and the glory of the underground where enthusiasm made up for any musical shortcomings. Brutal growls, glorious shrieks abound, along with the classic ugh’s for good measure. Some of the riffs explore the originators of death metal along with some thrash elements and some 80s black metal touches.
The Material from the second demo is far superior in terms of musicianship and songs themselves. The title track Dawn of the Ritual and The Execution simply shred in their boldness. This death metal in all its glory, Drive Us to Hate continues the heavy assault, whilst Intoxicated speaks for itself. Out of control and teaming with anger Vampire’s Island is their masterstroke at over 7 minutes with crazy arse-kicking riffs an onslaught of solos with blasts and double kicks to pummel you into submission
Available as a collection for the first time, Awakening Records have pulled out all the stops with their release of Dawn of the Ritual + Decayed Existence, with unpublished material and new liner notes and a master that’s clean and clear. this is a must-buy for fans of Original Death Metal, if you like it raw, fast, and ugly.
1. Dawn of the Ritual
2. Mutilated by Sickness
3. Dying Age
4. The Execution
5. Mental Delirium
6. Drive Us to Hate
7. Psychic Death
8. Dimension of Emptiness
9. Intoxicated
10. Vampire’s Island
Three and half brutal roos
Apocalyptic Fear: Facebook
Release Year: 2020
Label: Awakening Records
Category: Album
Country: Canada
Reviewed by Sparky
