SANCTIFICA - In The Bleak Midwinter (Sweden)
Self Released 6 track Demo

This is a band which everyone is looking foward to. I am because I have lotsa faith in Metal bands from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany. This demo doesn't come with lyrics.

Side A of the casette:
The atmospheric intro sets the mood of this listener by it's haunting keyboards and it's the slow drums...It's a very short intro for a black metal band. "Burial of the Grave" - mid-paced with pounding guitars and a 'majestic' sounding chorus. Shieked vocals complete with the bell-sounding in the chorus. The melody caught my attention even though this wasn't a "fast-as-hell" black metal track. The short guitar solo is suprisingly good, towards the end, in comes the acoustic guitar (with the electric one to complement it) fades this track out. "Blind for Reality" another track with upfront keyboards and beats that will make you want to move your feet. Vocals on this track reminded me of Old Man's Child. (I don't know why). Well written songs from a band which hopefully will get a record deal from some label and hopefully release a full length album on CD. Blasted beats towards the end of the song(100 km/h ?) rounds it up.

Side B of the cassette:
Once again, atmospheric keyboard comes into play with "In The Bleak Midwinter", combined with soft plucking makes it a wonder intro to a song. A sound of the electric guitar signals the beginning of the 'real' thing. Fast to mid-paced drumming, pounding guitars, good melody with the usual shieked vocals. It gets back into the atmospheric keyboard towards the end of the track. "Sacrifice to Life" nice song full of quick double bass and blasted beats on this track. Clean vocals got utilized here 'Death has conquered by Your love', a slightly(just slightly) mediocre track, again with the upfront keyboards which has been alot of room on this demo. "King of Kings And Lord of Lords" humming starts this track off until a loud and ghostly shriek kicks things off(which is used alot in black metal). Really really fast drumming and really fast guitars, alot of shrieking here and there. Not as melodic as the previous tracks, I think I can call it a harsher track. The guitars suffers a little bit on the mixing I guess. It sound a little blur. Nice classical piano on the end of the song. To the listener, after this demo, he'she'll definately be waiting(patiently) for the full length CD album.

Production is not top notch, some hissing but it's very good for a demo.
It doesn't have the clicking sound or 'break up' of songs typical for demos.

SCORE: 8.5 /10
 

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