Desdemonia
Existence ()
Wydane przez Self-financedRok wydania Kraj LuxembourgNapisał Wouter6
Forming in 1994 in Luxembourg Desdemonia is probably the longest existing and pioneering death metal acts from that tiny country. The band's biggest inspiration is the classic Gothenburg death metal sound of old. The riffing is quite reminiscent of the early Swedish masters (Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Sacramentum) while the energy level and delivery has more in common with the Stockholm sound. Underneath it all runs a current of classic metal that shines through in the leads/solos. The dual vocal approach isn't exactly new, but done commendably while not being exactly exceptional. The acoustics remind somewhat of (early) At the Gates. For a band around for over a decade Desdemonia don't excel in either skill or compositional ambition. "Existence" is a solid little death metal record, but beyond the band's fanbase nobody will bother with this product. This is death metal done workmanlike, but with nothing to offer beyond the peripheral. It's heavy, it's groovy and it's clear that Desdemonia take a respectable amount of pride in their craft – but the songwriting is just stunningly mediocre and bland. In today's scene where every band tries to stand out from the crop in either speed, technicality or compositional scope, Desdemonia have written a record for the underground, with no appeal beyond it. Produced at the band's own recording facilities the production is fittingly bass-heavy and stunningly professionally sounding. The drums sound thunderingly heavy (think Gorefest's "Erase") and while the snare drums could have sounded more naturally organic, they are a joy to hear in today's climate of sterile flat sounding drums. The artwork, design and lay-out is functional, but not really exceptional in any shape or form looking more like that of an industrial act instead of an extreme metal one. Overall Desdemonia aren't too shabby of a death metal band, but one still clearly entrapped within the demo phase, despite their commendable musicianship and accomplished recording facilities.
www.myspace.com/desdemoniaband
