Dehydrated - Psychopathological Years

Compilations such as this one from Atomic Vision Productions are about as necessary as they come. The release spans less than two years of actual releases and includes the 1992 Dehydrated demo, the 1992 Suffering of the Living Mass demo, and the tracks from a 1993 split CD called Burnt from what Atomic Vision Productions claims is "A real death metal legend from Slovakia." While copies of Dehydrated's first demos are available on collector sites at reasonable prices (at least for thirty-year old obscure demo tapes) it is more than likely that few will be willing to shell out fifty or sixty dollars for two tapes to own the rarities. That said, the music available here should have fans of old school death metal shelling out that price. Dehydrated have etched into the eighteen included tracks a timeless type of death metal; forks-in-eyes, blood down the cheeks, coagulated chunks of missing flesh type death metal. Preoccupations with intellectualism and cosmology are replaced with bursts of gutty vomit and cut-scenes of gangrenous exploding corpses. And through the all the viscera is a surprising awareness of songwriting structure often left for dead in similar period demo tapes. 

The first nine tracks are from the Dehydrated demo tape. More simplistic and raw both structurally and technically, there are still standouts. "Cannibalizmus" is a favorite, with neatly twisting motifs. While it's difficult to pinpoint direct similarities, I feel a good comparison for the first demo would be something like Darkthrone's Soulside Journey. In much the same way, Dehydrated wind awkward churning melodies and atypical rhythmic patterns coated in an otherworldly resonant guitar tone. Pegas' drumming is less inventive than Fenriz's on Soulside Journey, however this allows for an easier, primal, and less philosophical feeling to the music more in line with the previously cited focus on blood-and-guts-and-flesh, as opposed to the cosmic themes of my comparison. Another unique track which stands out is the band's (maybe) namesake, "Dehydration". Slower, brooding, with a high-register opening riff, and plunky underlying bass line from Palo, it's two minutes introduces a doom-drenched tense and stressful element to the mix of their death metal. There are blitzes of grind mixed in and also hints at a respect for the best elements of thrash. It also is an omen for the possibilities that would later show on their second demo and the demo turns weird hereafter with "Vyhrabem Mŕtve Telo" incorporating a bizarre moody atmospheric vibe. 

The real gold of this compilation, however, comes from the tracks pulled from the Suffering of the Living Mass demo. Each song is memorable, unique, and barbaric. "Toxoplasmosa" opens with a crawling guitar line before switching gears to a slow doomier middle section. "Intraoseal Fibrom" mixes the fast grindy bits with slower death metal bludgeonment, crawling and mechanized guitar runs, and a climactic final twenty seconds which ends too soon and leaves you wanting to see the band expand upon the most Swedish influenced riff of the entire anthology. What also stands out is how unafraid Dehydrated is to skirt convention at times, such as the more experimental moments of "An Advanced Stage of Infections Contagion In Abdomen Cavity". With the band often veering away from standard riffs, and even tonality, there is a consistent freshness. Each listen offers new rewards, even to veteran ears. What could sound out of place or mundane on another bands record, sounds natural and invigorating for Dehydrated. The stylistic tendencies of Suffering of the Living Mass continues to the final four tracks from the Burnt split. The songs here are slightly longer, but no less compelling. "Intraoseal Fibrom" is repeated with a better production, however omitting the defining guitar lead over the last twenty seconds. I would be curious to know why the band removed it. 

With an hours worth of material, all worthy of multiple listens, there should be a copy on it's way to you already. For me, this release satisfies all the criteria which would force me to seek out the remaining material and albums. While I do not have hope for their most recently released albums having the same charm, the same atmosphere, the same old school fetidity, I do believe that their 1997 full length and previous EP are likely to be worthy of my ears. I will be seeking those out. Start here, though, with Psychopathological Years. Dehydrated prove to have been years ahead from the start. The fact that none of these tracks appear on their full lengths means that anyone interested will miss out on very high quality death metal. Vrana at Atomic Vision Productions has also put together a masterful large 8" x 11" full page layout. This is a tape deserving of space on your shelves. The Suffering of the Living Mass version of "Intraoseal Fibrom" is essential. This tape will get deck-time for sure. 

Death Invoker - Necromancy, Damnation, Revenge

The necessity of tapes exemplified! Death Invoker, a Peruvian horde, have gone through some lineup changes, but the intent remains the same - relentless extreme metal in the style of the classics. "I met Unholy Perversor in 2003 in a Metal store. Then we got contact and spoke from time to time to play raw, bestial and classical extreme Metal. Everything finally started once we met Beast of Holocaust on 2005." In 2019, Unholy Perversor self-exiled. "Just he decided to go off from Death Invoker (and even his other band), because of personal decisions. So, I took guitar too, in addition of bass/vocals. Now Death Invoker continues as a duo. We have already recorded for 4 productions with this duo line up." That duo is rounded out by drummer Bestial Lust, since 2007. "The only fact is that we summon elder spirits of extreme Metal and unleash our necromantic noise, trying to put our own characteristics. Once we were called "Morbid and Unholy Peruvian Metal Bestiality", “Necromantical Metal of Death, “Necromantic Deathrash”, etc." 

Necromancy, Damnation, Revenge was originally released on 7", however Death Invoker were forced to omit the opening track, "Divination Through Death Spirits". I received some explanation on this from main man Morbid Devastator. "We recorded "Divination…" originally for the 7EP, but it was excluded because of factory issues. At first, the EP would be released in Europe and the label asked for twenty minutes. But there were troubles. Finally, the EP was released in South America and the label and factory asked for fifteen minutes. So, we decided to take out “Divination…” which in fact was the newest, longest and the last (song) we had recorded at that time." Thankfully, Nihilistic Holocaust has solved this problem by releasing this excellent material in totality. 

I hear the influence of mainly early Slayer, Sepultura, and Sodom but stripped of all semblance of complicating technicality. The production is ancient, and underground sounding, at times even emitting a Celtic Frost value. The major difference comes in the throat of bassist and vocalist Morbid Devastator who prefers a gruff lower growl than the wailing high pitches of Araya or mid-range rasps of Angelripper. This deeper vocal performance combined with lots of echo and reverb should be reminiscent of Blasphemy, or Mystifier. Maybe some of the Greek scene pokes through as well. I ear-checked my impressions. "In general, ancient and raw Metal as: Sarcófago, Sepultura, Vulcano, Sextrash, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Venom, Possessed, Death, Slayer; just to mention the classics, in addition of other raw noises from the entire ancestral Metal legions."

There is a subtle occult atmosphere to the tape, set in motion by the longish two-minute intro. The intro, which Death Invoker deemed important enough to remain in full on the 7" - important enough that it would have been worth omitting a full track for - sets an appropriate tone, with wailing distant moans and synths rumbling on in the foreboding melody of D#, F, A at first and then C and F. Maybe slightly longer than needed, but a solid introduction to the previously omitted track, "Divination Through Death Spirits." In truth, though, it is "Witches Hammer" that stands out to me as the most classically influenced track present and reminds me of Slayer more than the other two non-intro offerings. 

The layout does not provide any hints as to the lyrical content, so I asked Morbid Devastator about this facet of the band. Regarding my favorite on the album, he alluded to the historical treatment towards those deemed witches. "'Witches Hammer' is related to the so called blasphemous acts of the so called witches, and punishment they suffered, although this, an eternal curse was unleashed." Elaborating further, "Death Invoker takes obscure events of history to be used as a manifestation of dark stuff along human life. In addition to death mysteries, ancient rituals, abominable mythology, obscure damnations, Metal apologies and morbid hallucinations." 

CTP - 019 - I: Gates of Eternal Torment - Giving Nothing Back It's Voice

Giving Nothing Back It's Voice is laden with melancholic melodies, raw cold black metal, and deep bellowing vocals while at the same time emitting an odd luminosity and brightness. Currently the digital album is available on the Gates of Eternal Torment bandcamp. It's been eight years since the release of Imprisoned Beneath The Ice Of This Cold Black Void. That release has been sold out for years. Firthornn and I have stayed close acquaintances throughout that time since we share a lot of interests and perspectives so it is an honor to once again put out his remarkably personal music. 

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