The Truth

First off there's something I think I should make pretty clear here. Mainly throughout the past few years where I've gotten accustomed to many forms of metal, there's still a few extreme styles here and there that I don't really fully enjoy. Simply put, I've found it to be pretty hard to appreciate things within the more brutal realm personally, whether it's thrash like Kreator or simply dozens of death and black metal bands, this stuff is just typically not for me. Those familiar with my reviews can probably agree too, as I'm usually geared towards classic speed / thrash / power. Mefisto here surely has a lot of these extreme elements to their music with even a ton of brutal segments on the later half of this compilation and regardless, I still absolutely love them. I believe that this statement either shows my lack of knowledge within these genres or perhaps better yet, defines Mefisto's absolute brilliance that you can't help but appreciate even if you don't listen to this kind of stuff that often.

When you can describe something as both utterly beautiful and purely evil, it's truly out of this world. I've switched the adjectives there before "beautiful" and "evil" because that's just how incredible Mefisto is at bringing these two elements perfectly together better than most bands could even attempt. One moment you will be covered in fear by hellish riffs and screams while a minute later you might think you're being lifted off your feet transcending towards the heavens surrounded by mysterious melodies and beautiful harmonies. It should be made very clear Mefisto has some of the craziest melodies and leads you could ever imagine.

I'm unsure if it's safe to describe Sandro Cajander as a mere human when it comes to these vocals. I'm not too big on growlers of this style but again, Mefisto proves me wrong with the vocals here. This guy truly sounds like some kind of demon that escaped from hell or something. There are a handful of almost random moments where he'll shout, scream bloody murder, or make these downright weird cracking noises and they all add to the music perfectly. The vocals are just like the rest off the band here, out of this world.

The vile dark atmosphere is always intact here throughout this whole package, since this is made up of two compilations though there are noticeable changes between the two. Megalomania comes off as a bit thrashier and faster, while The Puzzle seems to take their creativity to even newer heights (if it were even possible?) ... there's also a big change in the productions, mainly within the drumming. The drums on The Puzzle have that brutal touch to them and so does the rest of the music, however because of their constant structure changes and dynamics it never gets repetitive or "unfriendly" for someone not too keen on such a style such as myself. Luckily they've ordered these accordingly, the first four tracks are the first demo and the later half is the second. (note: even if they're demo tapes, the production on this release is incredible).

The acoustic segments here are arguably some of the best I have ever heard and on top of this, Hunting High, Die has essentially one of the most daunting and impressive intro's I've ever come across. It's so incredibly eerie you might feel like you're back on the streets of Silent Hill 2 or somewhere equally as creepy. At 4:05 this song transforms into something I can't even rightfully describe, someone who even hates metal would get chills from these majestic melodies. It's very interesting how there seems to be some definite NWOBHM and traditional metal influences here on several tracks, though with Mefisto's magical touch these influences become something straight out of hell. The buildup on Betrayed Truth at 1:43 to about 3:02 is so "classic heavy metal" that it will surely bring anyone a smile. It comes back towards the end of the track finishing it off with an awesome solo.

A lot of metal songs have been described as thunderous "marchings", anthem-like and so forth, catchy tracks that scream heavy metal that you can't help but hold a torch too. If there were one truly frightening and demonic march, it'd be The Puzzle [the track]. Os Liberty is an instrumental that sounds like an extension of Hunting High, Die's intro which is obviously a beautiful thing. The end of this track builds up for the finale Underground Circus which honestly in my opinion comes off as the bands simplest track, regardless the riffs and everything in it are insanely memorable and the quality isn't lost at all. Most of the Megalomania tracks are extremely furious, especially the opener Missing In Action where I believe vocalist Sandro really makes his mark. The diversity with his singing on this one is incredible topped off with some cool effects that work perfectly. In fact, it could be safe to say the vocals sound a bit more demonic on the first demo rather than the second. Either way he still sounds incredible on both. Frost Of Inferno and Act Dead take the opening tracks route and pretty much go all out.

Overall, Mefisto's The Truth is the perfect compilation of two demo's that you really can't quite describe at all. Similar to such bands like Slauter Xstroyes, Mysto Dysto, and Pariah just to name a few, it's literally impossible to give Mefisto a real genre or style tag of any sort. The creativity, songwriting, and skill cemented into this material is unmeasurable. Nothing sounds quite like them at all. If you want something truly out of this world, chaotic, brilliant, and are a fan of any kind of metal, get this compilation right away. Can you argue against "The Truth"?

Hands down, there are some absolutely fantastic demo compilations out there. Dream Death's 'Back From the Dead' and Ulysses Siren's 'From the Ashes' are just two examples. They have one thing in common. The music on the demos the compilation consists of is nothing short of great. So what happens if you put best two demos throughout metal history on the same compilation?

The result is of course Mefisto's 'The Truth' and it can only be perceived as totally killer. We do after all discuss a band that was a major influence on the 90's Swedish death metal scene, and even bigger on the bands predating the 1990 mark. Both demos, Megalomania and The Puzzle were released in 1986, in May respectively November.

They've withstood the tests of time without any scars due to their immense quality. They have influenced, but never been copied. The general uniqueness shrouding them and the dynamics has made just trying hard enough.

Mefisto base their music on change and progression. Not as much on the first demo as the second though. The sound is dark and intense, with riffs, interludes and other elements shoplifted from every genre being equipped with a certain hellish edge before put to use.

They have a way of making even lighter melodies (you know the ones you wave your cigarette lighters to) sound dark and foreboding. Playing both demos after each other, as here, on the Truth, does work. There's not too much change in production, and the more sophisticated and dynamic Puzzle follows the more outright intense and satanic Megalomania much better than the other way round.

Get it if you can, or spend your life mourning the loss.