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This official reissue of Purtenance Avulsion's legendary "Demo 1 '91" is now available in a total pressing of 300 copies, with each color variant limited to 100 copies. Released exclusively through Xtreem Music, the 10" vinyl comes in silver wax with white splatter, white wax with black splatter, and classic black wax. Each edition includes an insert packed with the original demo cover, rare photos, flyers, and show posters, capturing the essence of this Finnish death metal band’s early days before they became known as Purtenance. A must-have for collectors and fans alike.
Purtenance Avulsion, who would later shorten their name to Purtenance, emerged from the Finnish underground with their self-titled demo. Despite the rough production typical of the early '90s, this release hints at the band's potential, showcasing a blend of death metal with touches of doom and thrash. The songwriting shines through the raw sound, featuring seamless transitions between slow, crushing passages and fast, aggressive riffs. Purtenance Avulsion's ability to maintain flow amidst frequent tempo shifts sets them apart, keeping each track engaging without overstaying its welcome.
The doomy sections evoke a dark, brooding atmosphere, driven by simple yet effective melodies. This is countered by fast-paced thrash segments that provide a visceral energy. The balance between these contrasting elements keeps the listener hooked, with changes arriving just as a section might begin to wear thin. Notably, there’s minimal use of guitar solos, which are tastefully placed when necessary, avoiding any sense of overindulgence.
Vocally, the demo sticks to death metal conventions—deep growls paired with occasional higher-pitched screams, used sparingly to let the instrumentation take the spotlight. The drums, while not technical, offer solid support, although the production undermines their potential. The snare sounds particularly tinny, and the cymbals lack clarity, leaving the rhythm section feeling muted beneath the sludgy, downtuned guitars.
While the mix allows the guitar work to shine, the demo's sound quality, particularly the weak drum recording, detracts from the overall experience. Still, the demo is a strong example of Purtenance Avulsion’s emerging style, blending darkness and aggression in a way that laid the groundwork for their later releases.
In summary, this demo is worth checking out for fans of early death metal, especially those interested in a band that skillfully combines doom and thrash influences. Despite its flaws, the demo provides a glimpse into Purtenance Avulsion’s evolution, setting the stage for their more refined work to come.
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