You know two things about DEMOLYN within the first minute or two into "Tales of Demolyn"-this is a debut album, and it is a single artist. The self-referential album title is also a bit of a giveaway as is the rudimentary-and very Thrashy-album cover. None of that takes away from the album which is an immersive and intriguing journey. With every track, I found myself truly curious, anticipating what would be offered up next.

"Tales of Demolyn" was released on August 12, 2022. Promo material states the album tells "a tale with each and every song, which is implied in the album title. The album aims to create an atmospheric sound which is unique to each song and tale. The listener is taken to eight unique settings across the album, from a flame covered battlefield beneath the blood red moon to an ice-cold mountain haunted by a mysterious entity."

It probably wouldn't take much online sleuthing to discover who the multi-instrumentalist behind DEMOLYN is, but there is a certain mystique in anonymity. Besides, why not respect the artist's wishes? We all have our reasons to remain veiled at times. At any rate, "Tales of Demolyn" comprises eight tracks and spans 42 minutes. No intros, interludes, or outros. Just eight tales cast in a variety of Black Metal skins.

As far as quality, the tracks are a mixed bag and I think it is here that the album falters. While I do appreciate the variety of approaches taken to capture a different essence for each narrative, I do think it takes away from the overall impact of the album. In short, it sounds like the artist was searching for themself throughout the album. The production value is also lacking and comes across as unintentionally thin as opposed to purposefully analog.

Recommended tracks include "Shattered Soul" with its frenetic, unrelenting pace; "På Toppen av Berget" (trans: on top of the mountain) with its wandering tremolo and slightly cosmic vibe; and "Döden Jag Är" (trans: I am dead) which hits like a Blackened Doom track complete with a Folk Metal break. Definitely my favorite track on the album. Several tracks such as "Hear My Battle Cry" and "Withering Away" have a solid core but become too repetitive. It seems that in trying to capture a distinct feel for each track, the artist inadvertently traps themselves in the constraints of a singular phrase.

In the end, "Tales of Demolyn" is a good demo and a good project album. It will be interesting to see if DEMOLYN later commits to a single approach but until then "Tales of Demolyn" provides a compelling journey across a wide and dark landscape.