Riddle of Meander - 2005 - Pandemonic Holocaust

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal horde with their first demo, containing two lengthy tracks of mostly mid-paced Black Metal towards the depressive kind. The music reminds me mostly of slower early Burzum, Isvind and Svartsyn (Swe). This really does sound Nordic, and has a feeling of the mid '90ies as well.

The vocals remind me somewhat of those by Necro in Pest (Swe) at times, but with an extra edge of depression to them. There's also more reverb added to them. They set a dark mood to the music.

The soundquality is not too bad. There is a slightly hollow sound to the drums, which is a bit odd, but not so much as to ruin the listening experience. The soundquality reminds me of Svartsyn (Swe) from a few years back. A keyboard is used at times, which really gives the music an extra edge. Limited to 200 copies. They have a second demo out as well.

Both the tracks presented here are quite good.

Thursday November 30 2006, by :Vragh:

Pest - 2005 - In Total Contempt

Swedish Black Metal horde Pest are back, and with a vengeance! Their slightly delayed third fullength album is out, and I have to say that this album is, next to their amazing Blasphemy is My Throne minialbum, their best material to date. They have progressed somewhat since their last
release, while still maintaining the essence of Pest, and they even have songs here with a serious
groove to them. Their music is still mid-paced to fast, with mostly fast tracks, but with a slightly new approach at times. Musically they have some slight similarities to latter day Darkthrone and Armagedda on this release mixed with their own sound, which has become a bit angrier.

The vocals are a bit clearer, somehow, but still keeping their hateful aggression and harshness.

The instruments and the vocals are at the same level in the mix, so the production has been improved
 since their last album. Very nice. Also they seem to have worked a bit more on the  material here. After a while I got a bit tired of their last effort, but this album just keeps spinning in my player. Be sure to check this album out!

Standout tracks are "Thrones Ablaze", "A Vengeance Rising", "Slaves of Celestial Bounds" and "Dreams of Life Seem Morbid".

Tuesday July 5 2005, by :Vragh:

Pest - 2002 - Blasphemy Is My Throne

This is the first official release from this promising Swedish Black Metal band, not to be confused with the Finnish or German bands with the same name. This is in-your-face Black Metal as it should be, cold and aggressive. Presented here are six tracks, of which the last two are taken from their last demo. Influences are mainly classic Darkthrone and Satyricon, but they also have a nice extra edge of their own in their sound. This is necro Black Metal and could very well have been released in the mid 1990ies.

The music is mid-paced to fast, and the production is harsh, as it should be. The vocals are slightly reminiscent of Nocturno Culto's on Under a Funeral Moon, but they sound distinctly as Pest, no better way to describe it. Yet another really good Swedish Black Metal album in the new wave of Black Metal.

The vinyl versions of most of Pest's albums differ from the CD versions, and this album is no exception; the vinyl recording of this album is actually even harsher than the CD version. Pure hatred! Both versions of this album are limited, 300 on vinyl and 500 on CD. Act fast before they are sold out. You have been warned!

Standout tracks are "Blasphemy is my Throne" and "Along the Path of the Fallen".

Monday May 31 2004, by :Vragh: