GIASSON

 A true assault of distorted and unsettling melodies is unleashed, plunging the listener into a black, bottomless pit where decay and despair reign.

 Abhorrence’s desire to sound as evil and dark as possible emerges clearly in their self-titled EP, a cornerstone of Finnish death metal.

Abhorrence, a seminal Finnish death metal band formed in 1989, created a uniquely dark and melodic sound distinct from their Swedish peers. Their 1990 self-titled EP delivered hypnotic, sinister melodies blending death and doom influences. Despite their brief existence and lack of commercial success, Abhorrence left a lasting legacy influencing future Finnish metal bands. Their guitarist later formed the successful band Amorphis, bridging the underground roots with broader metal recognition. Dive into the dark origins of Finnish death metal—listen to Abhorrence’s raw and haunting 1990 EP now!

 "The song 'Surf Nicaragua' succeeds in conveying the band’s pacifist message while inciting headbanging in every respectable thrasher."

 "Sacred Reich have always stood out for their music style close to hardcore and for their protest and anti-militarist lyrics."

Sacred Reich's 1988 EP Surf Nicaragua showcases their hardcore-influenced thrash metal style with strong anti-militarist messages. The title track stands out for its rousing chorus and memorable references. Other new songs and covers add depth, reflecting the band's peak during thrash metal's golden era. Despite a decline in the '90s, the band made a comeback during the thrash revival in 2006. Dive into Sacred Reich's Surf Nicaragua for a powerful thrash metal experience rich with intense riffs and meaningful protest lyrics.

 Grotesque had said everything they had to say and each wanted to embark on their personal artistic journey.

 The work remains fresh even today by virtue of the fact that it is not a victim of the clichés of the genres it helped create.

Grotesque is a cult band pivotal in the late 1980s metal scene, blending death, black, and thrash influences. Their 1997 compilation 'In the Embrace of Evil' features remastered demos and EP tracks that remain fresh and innovative. The band’s brief but impactful existence led its members to key roles in other influential bands. This album captures a foundational moment before extreme metal subgenres fully developed. Explore the raw power of Grotesque’s 'In the Embrace of Evil' and witness the dawn of Gothenburg extreme metal today!

 What many don’t know, or have forgotten, is that this (sub)genre originated from good old thrash.

 This is still a raw album, but tremendously spontaneous, which I personally consider unsurpassable and conceptually superior to all current folk/viking/celtic/symphonic metal works.

Skyclad's debut album, The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth, is recognized as a foundational work in folk metal, blending thrash roots with violin and poetic lyrics. Martin Walkyer's distinctive vocal style and the album's raw, spontaneous nature set it apart from more commercial modern folk metal bands. The album is praised as conceptually superior and an authentic representation of pagan metal's beginnings. Explore Skyclad’s pioneering folk metal journey and listen to The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth—experience the roots of a legendary genre!

 The style presented obviously recalls that of Dissection, which is that perfect blend of black and melodic death that many have tried to reproduce without ever truly succeeding.

 This EP is more than recommended for those who would have wanted a worthy successor to 'Storm of the Light’s Bane.'

This review highlights Cardinal Sin's debut EP 'Spiteful Intents,' emphasizing John Zwetsloot's musical contribution and his ties to Dissection. The EP mixes black and melodic death metal with thrash elements. While Zwetsloot’s career post-EP is limited, the release is recommended for fans of the genre and Dissection’s legacy. Listen to Cardinal Sin's 'Spiteful Intents' and explore the rich black/melodic death metal legacy shaped by John Zwetsloot.

 Initial Velocity is a long-lasting album in terms of listening thanks to the compositional diversity that characterizes it.

 The splendid 'Black Rose' starts as a classic speed song only to slow down in a finale of rare emotional intensity.

Mandator, formerly Mysto Dysto, kept the Dutch thrash flag flying with their 1988 album Initial Velocity. The album balances classic European thrash and mid-80s speed metal, featuring varied song styles from aggressive thrash to melodic speed tracks. Though the production is raw, it fits the era and genre. Initial Velocity is noted for its compositional diversity and emotional depth, even if some tracks are less convincing. It remains a strong, underrated metal album from a band deserving wider recognition. Listen to Mandator's Initial Velocity to experience raw 80s thrash and speed metal with melodic depth and emotional power.

 The first change came with the decision of guitarist Miika Tenkula to abandon the role of growler to focus on his instrument because he was tired of singing live.

 An album that, according to Jarva, expresses a 'strange purity' that can only be achieved once in a lifetime.

Sentenced’s 1992 album North From Here marked a pivotal shift from their debut, distancing from old-school death metal toward a more innovative sound. The album combines dynamic, melodic death metal with atmospheric, Nordic-inspired themes. Vocal duties changed hands, allowing guitarist Miika Tenkula to focus on intricate guitar work. The result is a unique and cohesive album reflecting the band’s evolution and the era’s experimental death metal trends. Explore Sentenced’s North From Here and experience the unique evolution of 90s Finnish death metal!

 This is the most sincere testament to the nature of Amorphis at the beginning of their career.

 Those who discovered them through their latest works will be dismayed by this ferocious and brutal sound.

Privilege of Evil is Amorphis' early death metal EP that reflects the band's raw and dark sound rooted in Finnish melodic doom influences. Released after their debut album, it features key tracks that reveal their initial style before their later evolution into more progressive metal. While fans of the band might appreciate the brutal and sincere nature of the record, casual listeners may find it less essential compared to their later works. The EP is a valuable insight into the formative years of Amorphis and the Finnish death metal underground scene. Dive into Amorphis' brutal origins with Privilege of Evil and discover the raw power of early Finnish death metal.

 The album flows smoothly thanks to the absence of fillers and the alternation of intense tracks, like the opener 'Sweet Dreams', with more considered and paced ones.

 This album definitely belongs to that sizeable group of late-eighties thrash albums that deserved much more fame and consideration from enthusiasts.

Stone's 'No Anaesthesia!' is a standout Finnish thrash metal album from 1989 that blends technical, neoclassical elements with aggressive riffs and memorable vocals. The album represents an important milestone in Finland's metal scene, influenced by Bay Area thrash but with a unique sound. The strong production and varied tracks keep the album engaging throughout. Though thrash metal declined in the early 90s, Stone's impact endures through its members' later projects. Dive into Stone's 'No Anaesthesia!' and experience one of Finland's finest thrash metal albums from the late 80s today!