Review by Arek on November 22, 2016.

Saddiscore is four metalheads out of Germany, and Demons Of The Earth is their debut album. To break into the music market they've used 10 tracks lasting almost 43 minutes, and cooperation of the small German stable - Boersma Records.

Band themselves describe their style as modern heavy metal and I think there’s something to it. Elements of groove, thrash, and even doom are very audible and that was the diversity that got me interested. Heavy metal supplied by Saddiscore is different, but not bizarre in its uniqueness. Unfortunately it’s very clear they’re just starting out on their musical journey. Simplicity becomes unbearably obvious sometimes. Singer has this warm-raspy and attracting timbre voice, but sometimes he is not able to control the leanings learned from the heavier metal genres. Sometimes he lacks this powerful heavy metal manner, especially in the higher parts. If however, he fully masters his instrument in the future he can be an asset of this quartet. For now, however, he’s average.

Demons Of The Earth is an album that bears the typical mark of a debut. It reminds me a little, though not musically, of Slayer's Show No Mercy. The potential of that album already killed, but skills of the band and recording team established the status of the disc. An undeniable advantage of Demons Of ... are interesting, varied compositions kept in gloomy tone generally not of heavy metal kind, highlighting the band from all the hordes of heavy - warriors. Some tracks (A Storm Is Coming, Mirror Face, Ghost Of Guilt, Demons Of The Earth, All In Our Hands) have this mysterious "something" that despite that certain tang of the debut, make you want to come back to them. It seems to me that, with more hours spent in the rehearsal room, Saddiscore virus can gain more power.

This mix of genders and generations has created a heavy metal variation, which may please, but it needs more time and work. They were able to create interesting albeit very simple compositions. They brought a breath of freshness, but not without flaws. We just have to wait for more still.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Review by Allan on October 25, 2002.

I have always liked a band that strives to improve. It seems that if a band has the will to move beyond what they’ve accomplished already, they’re more enjoyable and rewarding. Such is the case with Primordial and their third album “Spirit the Earth Aflame”. After two albums Primordial has now reached a new standard for themselves. “Spirit the Earth Aflame” is the culmination of the past, and Primordial has taken full advantage of themselves, creating what will be the first album that they have their own unique voice on.

Primordial has always been a good band, but now they’re great. They’ve taken important steps forward from their previous material to make their music better. Before “Spirit the Earth Aflame”, Primordial’s music was damaged by the mediocre production quality. It didn’t serve the music justice because it didn’t hold the clarity that was necessary for Primordial’s blend of electric and acoustic guitar, as well as the bands use of some very bombastic drumming. On “Spirit the Earth Aflame” the production has the necessary clarity to serve Primordial’s music more accurately. Prior to “Spirit the Earth Aflame”, Primordial had a difficult time writing songs that flowed properly. They never quite became whole, and could very well become boring and lose the listener before the end of the song. On “Spirit the Earth Aflame” Primordial has again made the necessary changes. Now the songs move along gracefully, building themselves up and breaking down, introduction new sections that immediately make connections with the rest of the song. The improvements have been made and they’re entirely noticeable.

Primordial layer their songs with many details, ranging from underlying guitar tones to keyboard melodies. The layering does everything from making a simple chord progression more interesting to building the sections up, or even to grabbing the listener’s attention to the fine detail. Atmosphere makes its appearance known as immediately as it can, from the second the album begins to fade in from your speakers until it fades out. Primordial create a sound that is along the lines of “Hammerheart” era Bathory in terms of atmosphere: extremely ostentatious and epic, yet not to pretentious for its own good. Further down Primordial’s music you’ll find that vocalist A.A. Nemtheanga creates quite a line of diversity in his performance. From his nearly spoken vocal passages, to black metal shrieks, to his grandiose singing, all of it fits the music extremely well and never comes across as tasteless. To complete everything, the band puts as much of their heart into their music as they do with their Irish heritage. Their music is on a very personal level and you feel that when you listen to Primordial.

Bottom Line: Primordial has now found out how to utilize their ability to make well thought out, excellently composed songs that offer an amazing atmosphere as well as great musicianship, all on a very personal and unique level. Check this one out.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 8
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.2 out of 10