Sons of Satan Gather for Attack

Release made by Hammerheart Records to take advantage of the great attention that this two bands (specially DB) were getting worldwide at that time, both recorded by Hot Records: DB’s Devil’s Path from 1996 and OMC’s In The Shades of Life (the demo that gave them a contract for their debut album).

Devil’s Path: After the great success of their two first albums, DB moved on a new direction, changing only a little bit; this EP shows a DM more aggressive, more fast, and more open to what would be their best release, still to come (Enthrone Darkness Triumphant). The original version of Master of Disharmony here is heavier, faster and rawer than the one found on EDT, in a single word: better. Devil’s Path, the only “original” song here is by far the best, showing a great combination of fast/aggressive and slow/dark parts, simply great. And the cover of Celtic Frost is well done, but one should be enough, don’t you think? Nevertheless, it was a good choice and a good performance. The crappy sound from the original recording was replaced by a remastered sound, with an excellent result.

Devil's Path is also remarkable for being the first appearance in DB of Nagash, already involved in Troll and Covenant (or The Kovenant), two well-respected names in the Norway scene, and who would be transcendental in the years to come for this band. It’s also necessary to mention that Shagrath had to take care of keyboards here, since Stian Aarstad had to go to the army.

In The Shades Of Life: an impressive debut for OMC, great, powerful and catchy songs with the style that has characterized this great band from its beginning. The product overall is better than the DB part, with a better, cleaner production. I’m not aware if the original recording had the bad sound the DB’s part had, but in this release the sound is simply impeccable. Great work from Galder & Co. Special recognition to Tjodalv for playing drums in both parts and doing it greatly.