Almost a year ago, I discovered something amazing – the work of Pandemonium. More specifically, I discovered the two tracks featured on their “Promo 2010″ (click here to have a read of my review). Those two tracks cemented my interest in the band and made me wish that I’d been made aware of the band sooner (they emerged from the darkness in 1989). Since listening to those tracks for the first time, I have been waiting, slightly impatiently, for “Misanthropy” to be released.

The album opens with “The Black Forest” and “God Delusion” – both of which were featured on the promo CD. This time around, the production is a little clearer, but on the whole they remain the same. The same fantastic levels of brutality, intensity and power. The promo may have teased us with possibilities, but already Pandemonium have shown that they’re able to live up to those expectations.

“Necro Judas” drags itself out of the depths of Hell at a relatively slow, methodical pace. It’s almost as if it is after your soul and will stop at nothing to devour it. The guitars / bass may take on a doomier vibe on this track, but the drummer varies from slow to fast at regular intervals. This gives the track an unpredictable, yet pleasing, quality.

I’d already had the opportunity to hear “Stones are Eternal” before I listened to the full album (grab yourself a little taster by checking out the YouTube video below), so I was already relatively familiar with the track. Again, Pandemonium show that they can effortlessly blend multiple extreme metal genres together and, again, Death and Doom take centre stage (with the focus more on the Death Metal side of things). However, this track also provides us with something a little different – something to keep us on our toes. The use of female vocals (courtesy of Greek singer Androniki Skoula, who has previously worked with the likes of Chaostar and Septic Flesh) really makes this track stand out.

“Avant-garde Underground” is insanely addictive. The riffs used in this track slither into your brain and infect it like evil, blood-thirsty parasites. One listen is not enough – I’ve certainly found myself obeying the urge to repeat this track a few times in a row. There’s a real ‘old school’ feel about it… In fact, it’s so old school that it feels like I should be taking part in some kind of ancient ritualistic activity. Unfortunately today is Thursday and the mobile sacrifical goat retailer won’t get into town until the weekend. And I’ll never find virgin blood around here. Curses!

“Everlasting Opposition” has a superbly creepy introduction before launching into a full-on, aural assault. I’ve seriously got to ask these guys if I can play this on The Soundtrack to Your Apocalypse because, quite frankly, if the dead did decide to walk the Earth and the end was nigh, this would be the ideal soundtrack. The apocalyptic nightmare is continued with “Only the Dead Will See the End of War”. This track isn’t as immediately hard-hitting as “Everlasting Opposition”, but I’ve found that it has grown on me the more I listen to it. The near-Middle Eastern melodies that flow through the track really help to hook you in.

The album closes with “Misanthropy” – a track that, once again, features the vocal talents of Androniki Skoula. As with “Stones are Eternal”, Pandemonium have utilised the female vocals, making them an integral part of the track, rather than just a gimmick that was thrown on as an after-thought. The track itself is an oddly haunting piece that circles the listener like a wolf stalking its prey. Terrifically unnerving stuff!

In conclusion, Pandemonium always seem to know when to use brutality and then it’s better to let a melody take hold. This album shows that they have remained true to their old school roots, but – at the same time – are not afraid to branch out and try something a little bit outside of the norm. The album is both satisfyingly familiar and refreshingly different. Definitely worth a try!

“Misanthropy” will be released on 10th March 2012 via Pagan Records. You can check out “Stones are Eternal” below:

Please click here to read an interview with Mark (guitars) from last year.

Rating: 98%

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