Emerging from the shadowy underground of Cleveland in late 1993, Funeral Pyre was conceived as a black metal side-project by members of Decrepit—though what began as a detour soon evolved into something darker and more distinct. Originally bearing the name Funepyre, the band sharpened its vision and solidified its moniker in early 1994, capturing an era where rawness, chaos, and atmosphere reigned supreme.
This compilation resurrects their first three demos, including The First Gate to Hell: SIN and Funeral Pyre, both recorded in '94 by Dave Rojack in the same session but unleashed separately, each carrying its own blistering character. The early material pulses with a primal energy, evoking comparisons to early Venom, Hellhammer, and the first wave of extreme metal pioneers. It's a furious storm of breakneck drums, spiraling riffs, and incantation-like vocals that feel more like summoning rites than mere songs.
Though primarily known as the band’s frontman and guitarist, Tom Rojack handled drums full-time—except on these recordings, where he stepped into the vocal spotlight and even laid down additional guitar work. Live, however, the vocal duties shifted to Gino Lambert, adding another layer of mystique to the band’s already shape-shifting aura.
The third demo, previously unreleased until now, reveals a shift into more atmospheric black metal territory—still blistering, but with an expanded palette. Think early Beherit or Blasphemy with a hallucinatory edge: ritualistic, hell-bent, yet more nuanced in its approach.
Funeral Pyre isn't for the faint of heart or those seeking polished, modern production. This is music forged in fire, steeped in the uncompromising tradition of early '90s extremity. For those who crave the raw, the obscure, and the authentically malevolent, this collection is an essential artifact from the American underground.
TRACK LIST:
1. Ancient Terrors
2. Beheaded At The Altar
3. No Exit From The Pyre
4. I Am The Black Priest
5. Unholy Winds
6. El Concerto De Satanas
7. Impalement At Dawn
8. Prosperity Of Satan's Reign
9. Over The Fiery Crest (Preserved In Flames)
10. Congressus Cum Dae Monie
11. Celtic Sun
12. In Scorn Defeat
13. Passages Over A Tyrant's Victory
