PESTILENCE “Malleus Maleficarum” /Ltd. LP/

The first re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary Dutch Death Metal band.
While retaining some Thrash Metal elements from its predecessor, "Malleus Maleficarum" (1988), "Consuming Impulse" saw the band progress further towards the traditional Death Metal genre with Progressive influences; this can be seen as one of the earliest examples of Technical Death Metal, a subgenre that would be used and expanded on Pestilence's subsequent albums.
"Consuming Impulse" was also their first release with then-new guitarist Patrick Uterwijk, and their last one to feature bassist and vocalist Martin van Drunen. After leaving the band and join Asphyx, Van Drunen was able to shift his voice.
"Consuming Impulse" was the beginning of all things great for Pestilence. Introduced into Decibel Magazine’s hall of fame in 2013, the album marked the band’s shift from intense and raw-sounding Thrash Metal to heavier, more haunting and then-buzzing Death Metal. Not only then-singer’s Martin van Drunen's (Asphyx) vocals turned to acidic growl; Pestilence was boosted into international recognition, being at the forefront of the scene with Death, Obituary, Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Bolt Thrower and Autopsy.
Remastered re-release on black vinyl housed in cover with selective varnish print.
Hammerheart Records, 1989/2017 (HHR 2017-14). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Dehydrated 3:06
2. The Process Of Suffocation 2:38
3. Suspended Animation 3:26
4. The Trauma 3:16
5. Chronic Infection 3:57

Side B
1. Out Of The Body 4:36
2. Echoes Of Death 4:13
3. Deify Thy Master 4:50
4. Proliferous Souls 2:04
5. Reduced To Ashes 4:51

Total playing time: 36:57 min.



Samples: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com

The first re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary Dutch Death Metal band.
After releasing the now-timeless classic “Consuming Impulse” in 1989, Pestilence was faced with the necessity of replacing a notable member, vocalist Martin van Drunen, following his departure to pursue a career with Asphyx. The band found themselves at the crossroads with an uneasy task, given the success brought about by “Consuming Impulse”. As it turns out, the decision to revert to Patrick Mameli as vocalist not only stood the test of time, but, in hindsight, gave birth to a trademark ingredient of Pestilence’s core sound formula. To make things even more interesting, Mameli stepped away from playing bass, from now on assuming the double role of guitarist/vocalist, and enlisted Tony Choy (of Cyinc at the time), adding another famed name to the line-up, and another anchor point for the band’s inventive nature. Alongside Patrick Uterwijk (guitars) and Marco Foddis (drums), they recorded "Testimony Of The Ancients" (1991) at the legendary Morrissound Studios, where it acquired a refined production, courtesy of Scott Burns.
"Testimony of the Ancients" is regarded as a Progressive Death Metal classic from the originators of the genre. In comparison with the first three Pestilence albums, the material wasn't as abrasive, the musicianship matured, and the band’s previously found innovate technical accretions, rose to new, ingenious levels. Mameli steered the band towards a more Melodic and Technical approach, expanding on the Death Metal sound of its predecessor, "Consuming Impulse". The resulting concept album, "Testimony Of The Ancients" contrasted Brutal Death Metal riffs with Melodic interludes. After each song on the album, there was an instrumental outro track. This attempt to push the boundaries of Death Metal, at a time when the scene was saturated with copycat "one track minded" bands, mirrored the efforts of fellow Progressive bands Atheist and Death, who released "Unquestionable Presence" and "Human" respectively in 1991, the same year as "Testimony Of The Ancients".
The album can also be seen as a stepping stone on the way to the following Pestilence album, "Spheres", which departed still further from traditional Death Metal and headed towards Jazz/Fusion.
At the time of the album’s release, the demand for Pestilence elevated as never before and entailed massive touring; noteworthy is the band’s lauded performance at the Dynamo Open Air Festival from that period.
Re-press 2022 on black vinyl with gold stamped cover and gatefold insert.
Hammerheart Records, 1991/2017/2022 (HHR 2017-15). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. The Secrecies of Horror 4:55
2. Bitterness 0:31
3. Twisted Truth 4:02
4. Darkening 0:30
5. Lost Souls 3:40
6. Blood 0:28
7. Land of Tears 4:47
8. Free Us Form Temptation 0:31

Side B
1. Prophetic Revelations 5:20
2. Impure 1:00
3. Testimony 3:51
4. Soulless 0:31
5. Presence of The Dead 5:50
6. Mindwarp 0:25
7. Stigmatized 5:25
8. In Sorrow 1:08

Total playing time: 42:54 min.


Samples: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com

The eighth full-length studio album by legendary Dutch Groove/Death Metal band.
"Hadeon" is the band's first album since their two-year hiatus from 2014 to 2016, and the first one since "Malleus Maleficarum" (1988) not to feature long-time lead and rhythm guitarist Patrick Uterwijk.
This is a very strong album – 39 minutes of largely Old-School Death Metal, mixed in with some Progressive elements. The songs are brief and to the point, focusing largely on an Old-School approach to their assault, but with enough Progressive Death Metal elements to keep things interesting and allow the band the freedom to add the occasional flourish here and there.
Well-written and concise, "Hadeon" demonstrates a band that are focused and professional in their delivery. None of the songs break the four-minute mark, as for this style of music, the band have both the skill and talent to say everything they need to say in less than this.
The musicianship is above reproach, and some guitar solos in particular are extremely enjoyable. There are some sterling riffs on "Hadeon", and the songs are all well-constructed and contain good dynamics and energy.
On this album, Pestilence has done what bands like Sadus aren’t capable of: return to form after a few very out of touch albums. Pestilence have found a tasteful mid-point between their modernized, ambitious sci-fi Tech Death sound and the original personality that made them Death Metal legends in the first place. Tracks like “Ultra Demons” and “Discarnate Entity” showcase a smart mix of old and new ideas that culminate into what might have been circa 1995 and fully make up for the lost time (disastrous albums) since 2009.
"Hadeon" is simple and straightforward enough to have instant appeal, yet has enough depth and substance to keep you returning for more. Highly recommended!
Limited to 1000 copies black vinyl in silver stamped embossed cover.
Hammerheart Records, 2018 (HHR-2018-07). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech. First press.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Unholy Transcript 1:53
2. Non Physical Existent 3:23
3. Multi Dimensional 3:13
4. Oversoul 3:16
5. Materialization 2:53
6. Astral Projection 3:36

Side B
1. Discarnate Entity 3:28
2. Subvisions 1:16
3. Manifestations 3:24
4. Timeless 2:42
5. Ultra Demons 3:10
6. Layers Of Reality 2:35
7. Electro Magnetic 3:38

Total playing time: 38:27 min.

For the first time on CD, the first two demos by legendary Dutch Death Metal band.
The "The Dysentry Penace" contains both demos recorded in the late 80s. The first four tracks are their debut demo, "Dysentry" (1987). The next four tracks are their second demo, "The Penance", – their first recording with legendary Martin van Drunen on vocals (Asphyx, Hail of Bullets).
Two bonus tracks are live recordings from Metal Attack Festival, Eibergen, The Netherlands, July 9th 1988, sharing the stage with Kreator, Death Angel, Holy Moses and Thanatos among others.
The release comes with exceptional liner notes from Patrick Mameli. Cover art is a remake and artistic impression of the original two demo covers made by Roberto Toderico (Sinister, Soulburn, Asphyx). All 10 songs are remastered by Dan Swano at Unisounds Studios.
VIC Records, 2015 (VIC108CD). Made in Netherlands. First press.


Tracklist:
“Dysentery” Demo 1987    
1. Against The Innocent 4:04
2. Delirical Life 4:46
3. Traitor’s Gate 4:24
4. Throne Of Death 4:05
“The Penance” Demo 1987
5. Into Hades 0:59
6. Before The Penance 6:43
7. Affection 3:26
8. Fight The Plague 4:00
“Live In Eibergen” 1988
9. Before The Penance (Live) 5:20
10. Fight The Plague (Live) 3:46
Total playing time: 41:35 min.

The first re-release of the second live album by legendary Dutch Death Metal band.
One of the leading and most influential Dutch Extreme Metal bands is with no doubt Pestilence. Formed in 1986 by guitarist and vocalist Patrick Mameli and drummer Marco Foddis, Pestilence released seven full-length albums over the years, including milestones such as "Consuming Impulse", "Spheres" and their debut "Maleus Malefaricum".
Originally released as “Presence Of The Past” in 2015 by Marquee Records for Brazil only, it featured the cult performance of the band at the famous Dynamo Open Air in 1992 + eight bonus tracks recorded live at Wels, Alter Schlachthof, Austria, on November 26, 1993.
"Presence Of The Pest (Live At Dynamo Open Air 1992)" features the same Dynamo Open Air concert from 1992. As a bonus, there are seven completely different tracks, than on the Brazilian edition, which were recorded in Rotterdam, on tour with Monstrosity and Torchure the same year. The CD comes with exceptional liner notes from a Dutch Rock journalist, Robert Haagsma (Aardschok). Cover and booklet artwork by Arco Wolf  (Eternal Solstice, Phlebotomized, IDES). All songs are remastered by Tom Palms (Phlebotomized).
Vic Records, 2016 (VIC129CD). Made in Netherlands. First press.


Tracklist:

Dynamo Open Air 1992 - Eindhoven, The Netherlands 6-7-1992    
1. Dehydrated 2:58
2. Chemo Therapy 4:26
3. Presence Of The Dead 5:38
4. The Process Of Suffocation 2:56
5. Lost Souls 4:10
6. Twisted Truth 4:24
7. Testimony 4:07
8. Chronic Infection 4:03
9. Stigmatized 5:25
10. Out Of The Body 4:32
Nighttown - Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2-27-1992    
11. Lost Souls 4:11
12. Presence Of The Dead 5:51
13. Prophetic Revelations 6:04
14. Suspended Animation 4:16
15. The Secrecies Of Horror 4:56
16. The Trauma 3:52
17. Land Of Tears 5:00

Total playing time: 66:49 min.