In a time where the vast majority of extreme Metal bands try to plead with even the most sceptic listener/fan of their technical skills improvement and (or) their band's music/lyrical/sound aspect development, some artists gaze at their musical horizon by digging more and more into the primitive past. Damnation stand proud among this occult genre, presenting how darkness and evil can show time-independent mercy... C'mon you, join the lifeless...
There's not enough data available for the band's bio. Damnation hail from Sweden, were formed back in 1989 but - other than releasing a bunch of demo recordings - weren't that lucky to release any official CD so far. This brings us to year 2004, where Damnation present Destructo Evangelia via Threeman Productions independent Swedish record label. Judging from the primitive dark cover, it's easy to understand what this CD is all about. A tribute to the 4-channel recording, an ode to ultra-speed, rattle, unholy sound as patronized from the legendary Bathory (black-era), Darkthrone, Immortal and the other members of the late 80's/early 90's Northern Europe squad.
Furthermore, Damnation's sound keeps an eye open to the early Death Metal sound, paying homage to bands like Sarcofago, (early) Samael and Celtic Frost. Slow, guttery, Hellhammer-ish chords combined with rotten, spooky vocals, create an remarkable result of morbid, ancient-sounding stance, far away from keyboards or female vocals ambiance. From the violent, underworld chord of Insulter Of Jesus Christ to the filthy, occult, bizarre coldness of Eternal Black, this CD is certainly for the early Death/Black Metal fan, desperately so far seeking for the ancient wisdom nowadays pushed back by amoralist prog-mind today's ordains. To be mentioned: the CD contains two cover versions of Bathory's Armageddon and Vulcano's Bloody Vengeance, both prized (for anyone that may howl with suspicion...).
Last minute update: The band's members is said to be a team-up from bands like Entombed, Merciless and Unanimted. Nice to hear, if this release means that Scandinavian bands will maybe start to re-evaluate their up-to-the-minute deeds, in extreme Metal music. 'Till then, if you are THAT old-school this release indubitably is apt for your primitive hunger.