I will never forget when I first bought "The Book On Truth" on CD. I was at Blue Meannie Records in San Diego, California. This store was owned by then PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, now present CAGE drummer Norm Leggio. I was heavy into the Gothenburg, Swedish scene and I had just picked up a very expensive import copy of the  1994 METALLICA "Metal Militia Tribute" on Black Sun Records featuring known artists like DARK TRANQUILLITY, IN FLAMES, LUCIFERION, AFFLICTED, but also unknown acts like the female fronted IDIOT'S RULE, and another Oscar Dronjak bleed metal Star Wars worshipping outfit known as CRYSTAL AGE - who would later become the basis for the Classic Metal Swedish revival championed by none other than HAMMERFALL.

The debut by CEREMONIAL OATH still holds up until this day. It even featured none other than Jesper Strömblad (now of THE RESISTANCE) on bass. Up to this day, they only released this album with Oscar D., and a then a follow-up with guitarist Anders Iwers, simply called "Carpet" riding the laurels with Anders Fridén on vocals, as well as Tomas Lindberg from AT THE GATES. I mostly bought this sophomore CD for the cool MAIDEN cover of "Hallowed Be Thy Name". At this point only a handful of select acts like SENTENCED were daring to cover IRON MAIDEN in the North.

Finally, "The Book Of Truth" has been officially re-issued by Century Media Records, and this double disc version even includes the raw, and unruly DESECRATOR demos as an added bonus. DREAM EVIL's own Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström did the remixing in his Studio Fredman. The deluxe packaging includes an extensive 28-page booklet replete with vintage photos, band fliers, posters and other memorabilia, as well as detailed liner notes for every song. I would love to get my hands on this re-release, as I only have the digital advance, which I am reviewing. Although, I am sure my original, first pressing CD copy is a major collector's item.

Until now I had not heard any of the DESECRATOR material, and Oscar's vocals here are deep, primitive, and almost punkish. The music has that DISMEMBER, GRAVE, AT THE GATES, early ENTOMBED feel with some suggestive soloing. The music is alright, but nothing too special. "Force Of Habit" and "Nocturnal Predator" show some signs of promise. However the droll grind of "Necrosis" calls to mind HELLHAMMER and SARCOFAGO, plus the song is too damn long and boring.

I am very familiar with the almost Faustian inspired conceptual story behind "The Book Of Truth" and the homage to the fictitious demon Wheghtor. Clearly musically the best comparison for me would be the early DEATH demos and first two albums, and perhaps the aforementioned earlier work of DISMEMBER, INVOCATOR, and ENTOMBED. I would also include the debuts by MERCILESS, EDGE OF SANITY and UNANIMATED to the mix. MORGOTH would also be a fair comparison. The 1993 UTUMNO "Across The Horizon" (EP), the early DAWN demos, the first CARNAGE release, famed cover work artist -Necrolord's under-appreciated LIERS IN WAIT (EP), and perhaps CANCER would also be adequate comparisons. The music is not pure melodic Death, Thrash, or all that Brutal, and you can still sense Dronjak's influences from both EUROPE and STORMWITCH, as well as ACCEPT and PRIEST.

If you have not experienced this once lost classic, you are truly missing out on a major cult following. When HAMMERFALL first came to the US, opening for DEATH. They performed a raging set from the first two albums, on my birthday. I actually had a very detailed conversation with Dronjak about this album, which he was not too proud of, at the time. I think now almost 20 years later, he has come around to just how ground breaking this album is and how it launched a very successful career for then slender, not blonde, brunette.

Surprisingly, only a few years later IN FLAMES also visited the U.S., and actually played a local club show as a benefit for my birthday party, dedicating "Stand Ablaze" to me before soaking me in beer and best birthday blessings. Surprisingly, when I spoke with Friden about his contributions to the first DARK TRANQUILLITY "Skydancer" album and his work on "Carpet" he seemed quite pleased with his efforts.

Hopefully, I will see my brothers in IN FLAMES play live this week, so I am sure they will get a kick out of this review.