Year: 2021
Total Time: 46:40
Label: Nuclear Blast

The tory of the Polish death metallers DECAPITATED starts back in the end of the previous century, and more specifically in 1997 when a bunch of teenagers (literally) released their first demo tape “Cemeteral Gardens”. Their age at the time was more or less 14-15 while the drummer Vitek was just 13!! When their debut album “Winds Of Creation” was released in 2000 they were barely adults.

But before that, they did one more demo, entitled “The Eye Of Horus” in 1998 which draw the attention of the underground scene, resulting the bands entrance in the official discography 2 years later.

Now, 20 years later and 3 after their latest studio album “Anticult” Nuclear Blast releases, with a slight remaster I assume, these two demos in one CD (also various vinyl editions) in order for the fans to be able to complete their discography without being obliged to search for those old dusty tapes who are now of questionable condition and pretty high price.

This compilation starts with the “The Eye Of Horus” demo which contains one intro and six tracks, the last of those being a cover of “Mandatory Suicide” of SLAYER. Listening to it after so many years and albums, some one can only be more than impressed with the talent and maturity that are spread everywhere. They play a fast and primitive death metal which in today’s standards may not sound special at all but 22 years ago a bunch of teen boys performing like that is at least impressive. The average running time of each song is around 5 minutes and shows a well-rehearsed band that has worked on their material using nice drum breaks, continues guitar riffing and leads and vocals that are very good for their level.

Next we get the “Cemeteral Gardens” demo which also has one intro and 4 songs. Obviously it sounds and is inferior to the previous one but it still isn’t bad and the die-hard fans would enjoy it. Besides, this release does not intend to bring more new fans in the club but help the already existing ones to fulfil their collection. The songs here are known anyway since they were re-recorded and got included in the debut album that was released in 2000 by the small English label Wicked World before being released again in 2007 by Earache, so those of you familiar with the band know what’s going on here.

The artwork looks pretty minimal comparing to their album covers in general and very old school so that it fits the content and the general idea of the release.

Concluding, I do not think there are more things to say here, this is a release for the fans that want to possess everything the band did and to those who would like to find out how one of the top band of the extreme sound begun its journey, worked hard and reached the top.

Rating: N/A
Editor: Antonis Livanios
Related Link: DECAPITATED – Official Page