Desultory
Into Eternity

1993: Annus Mirabilis for Swedish Death Metal

On one side, the extreme and uncompromising trend of bands like Dismember ("Indecent And Obscene") and Unleashed ("Across the Open Sea") was confirmed. On the other, a new wave of innovation and experimentation emerged through albums like "Wolverine Blues" (Entombed) and "Skydancer" (Dark Tranquillity).

In between, two controversial and heterogeneous releases in terms of inspiration and sound: "With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness" by At the Gates and "Into Eternity" debut CD by Desultory. Not coincidentally, two albums that did not unify critics and fans, creating a divide of acclaim and criticism unmatched in the history of Swedish Death Metal.

The Desultory, after no less than 3 demo tapes (well-appreciated especially by the purists of the Underground) and a mini LP debut with a top-notch label: Metal Blade.

Brian Slagel’s sharp eye wasn't suffering from cataracts.

The Swedish band presented itself with ultra-technical songwriting and evident Thrash Metal influences (especially Sadus, a band very popular in Sweden) that (I believe) weighed significantly in the signing of the contract.

But "Into Eternity" is a release with some blinding highlights and many, many shadows.

It kicks off with a bang, as the splendid title track immediately positions itself as one of the best Extreme Metal songs ever composed in the land of Odin.

Violent, extremely technical but with marked and captivating melodic openings, it showcases a superb performance by vocalist Klas Morberg.

The melodic Metal of Gothenburg owes much to this track, although few will have the courage to admit it ("Lunar Strain" by In Flames would only be released the following year).

"Depression" is, in essence, the Stockholm syndrome (in every sense) for late '80s Death Metal. Sonic decay softened by the "usual" solos of Stefan Porge. In the choruses, the sinister contribution of Matti Kärki (Dismember).

Another highlight of the album is the already well-known (at least to those who followed the band's exploits through various compilations...) "The Chill Within". An articulated Thrash Metal vehicle with an attached ultra-Death rock-crushing engine.

The second masterpiece of the album.

Morberg, expressive and Lovecraftian as only Tompa Lindberg in the cult album "The Red In The Sky Is Ours" had been before.

These are the highlights.

Shadows:

The quality of the album (and the attention of the average listener) drops precipitously with confused and overall useless songs (because already heard) like "Visions" and "Forever Gone" which practically start with the same guitar riff, varying little in harmonies.

Negligible "Tears" and "Asleep".

"Passed Away" seems to raise the fortunes of the band, but it's just a faint and distant recall, which, as such, only a few (those who reach the end of the album exhausted...) will know how to gather.

After "Into Eternity," Desultory would release two more albums, "Bitterness" (1994) and "Swallow The Snake" (1996), which added little or nothing to what had already been said before.

And inevitably, there would be oblivion.