United Terror Division

Hailing from Covilha, Portugal, Inner Helvete have contributed to five splits and released one full length recording in their eleven years of existence. They begin this three track split EP from 2002 with an intro of flanged clean guitar over a deep and distant, echo-drenched devilish roar. The introduction is moderately diverting in its own right, but wasteful within the context of a three track EP. When the roar heralds the beginning of the second track 'Allegiance to Satan', it becomes clear that this is supposed to be a vocal line rather than just an atmospheric sound effect. The shock of this realization was probably what I enjoyed most about the entire recording, on reflection, which doesn't say a great deal for the music. Whilst they may communicate an aesthetic effect, the vocals (which appear to be just scat-grunts rather than words) are completely indistinguishable. Furthermore, the vocal effect contributes little to the track structurally as it is not synchronized with the thin, tinny distorted guitar (which makes Ildjarn's tone sound rich), and merely meanders around under the music. An insistent snare drum and a tom-tom or two keep up the rhythm; there is no bass. Bizarrely, a short howl of tremolo-arm guided feedback at the two minute mark heralds the abrupt cessation of the music, and the commencement of a fifteen second passage of machine-gun fire before the instruments judder back into life to pick up the same riff. There is a little more feedback, and then the listener is released from their torment.

Front Beast, from Flonheim, Germany, are rather more prolific than their counterparts on this release, having issued ten splits, a full length, and sundry other EPs, demos and compilation in eight years. Their contribution to the EP, 'Slaughter the Heavens', fares little better than Inner Helvete's, however. The track begins with a jaunty riff that continues unchanged for over a minute, supported by distant drums, and a cheap-sounding clean bass. The main riff appears at around the two minute mark, accompanied by Vikernes-style high-pitched screams. The bass and drums drop out at 3.30, re-entering after the unveiling of a new descending riff which is the strongest element of the whole EP. Its impact is undermined by some further purposeless guitar work, and the track fades out unsatisfyingly.

This release may possibly appeal to those who enjoy the Beherit/Demoncy ('Drawing Down The Moon'/'Joined In Darkness' era) schools of bassy noise-mongering, but personally I didn't find either band's contributions especially rewarding to listen to.