This month, Jolly Roger Records has released the re-mastered 1987 demo of Italian Doom / Cult Metallers, SACRILEGE. Available in 500 vinyl copies and digitally (jolly-roger-records.bandcamp.com/album/sacrilege-demon-woman), this album seems more than passable in its presentation.

The synth opening and transition into "Endless Rain" would make an excellent piece of suspense film soundtrack. It could easily have been a choice of Joss Whedon for "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". Where the overall effect broke down was in the high-pitched Gorna vocals. Biting my nails, in anticipation of vocal disturbance throughout the rest of the album, I was relieved to discover the vocals pitched down into this singer's natural range. By "Sacrilege" there was a much greater comfort level with the vocal-instrumental interplay. There is a repeated riff that stitches the tracks together with a slow Stoner Metal vibe. Some tracks, such as "Voodoo Ritual", took a nostalgic turn into 80s Punk / Thrash territory at times. The strongest overall tracks were "Siel" and "Voodoo Ritual".

Having heard parts of the original demo, the re-mastering did this album a favor. It smoothed out overly jagged edges and the garage-band tinny sound just enough to keep it doom metal. The synth and guitars benefited the most. Although this band's status is still listed as "split-up," I wouldn't be sorry to hear what else they have in their arsenal, should they reunite.