Review DEMISER “Slave to the Scythe”

Hailing from South Carolina, Demiser started in 2018, and it wasn’t until 2021 that the guys presented their debut album. “Through the Gate Eternal” attracted some attention and put the band on the radar of Metal Blade Records.

After signing a deal, the band began working on their sophomore release and here it is. “Slave To The Scythe” is the title of the new longplayer, which contains nine songs, of which “Interlude” is exactly what the title promises. It is an almost three minute long acoustic instrumental that is placed in the middle of the album. After facing four raging metal songs and expecting another four smashing tunes, “Interlude” is the moment to take a deep breath.

The band starts the album though with “Feast” and there isn’t much time to get into “Slave To The Scythe”. The opener bursts out of the speakers with a merciless approach. It is a fusion of thrash, death and traditional heavy metal that immediately leads to some headbanging spiced up with blackened soul. Demiser didn’t come to take prisoners. They have the sonic sledgehammer in mind when writing and recording their songs.

A Slayer-esque reference is the beginning of the title track, which is a high-speed outburst in the end. In a way, Demiser’s sound reminds me of bands like Midnight, although it feels like the music and show get the same attention when it comes to the guys from South Carolina.

The trash metal inspiration also finds an outlet with “Total Demise” before the blistering “Hell if Full of Fire” spreads its sulfurous spirit from the abyss.

A song that partially breaks some of the patterns we could experience so far is “In Nomine Baphomet”. This is the longest song on the album and although it stares at you with a hellish grin, the closer shows the range of music Demiser can offer. It’s an eerily beautiful way to end an album that might not be spoiled with innovation. What the fans get instead is a sinister and hellish collection of songs that reflect the heat of hellfire.