Cold Dark Wastelands

Groaning muffled guitars, sparse but crisp drums and hoarse, dry vocals. This was a surprise when it came out – back in 2002, nobody knew about Tasmanian Black Metal and this not only sounded good, but had a unique atmosphere about it. I must say, listening back to it now that guitar sound really is great – so full and dark, there is almost no need for accompaniment.

This was a great demo, but I think people were not quite ready for it, as Black Metal elsewhere was heading in a more progressive direction. This is gleefully coarse and ugly, completely out of any context – just raw flailing anger and grimacing perversity.

I can hear a definite Hellhammer influence – deliberate or not, that’s the level this is at but with no promise of Celtic Frost up ahead – just unseemly Black Metal. The music is indeed very primitive and therein is its charm – barely above rock level Black Metal with neat, measured out drumming and streaming guitar growl smashing out simple 2-3 minute songs about darkness and death.

Favourite tracks on this: “Cold Black Wastelands” (a superior first version), “Dying Planet” and Funeral Rite.”

Originally published in Procession of Black Doom Zine Issue 1, 2008