Release year: 2025
Label: self-released
Wait, what, did I mistake this band for someone else? That was my first thought when putting on Swedish Demolyn’s new EP. See, in comparison with the debut release Tales Of Demolyn (reviewed here), Slay The Godhead presents a very different sound.
But no, it’s the same project with the same sole member, Oscar Medblom. Although this time around he’s joined by drummer Fabio Alessandrini, who currently occupies the drumseat for tech thrashers Annihilator.
The basic ingredients have remained the same: Nordic extreme metal. Although where I compared the debut to acts such as Immortal and Satyricon with elements of the melodic Swedish sound labels like No Fashion expounded, this time around there’s more of the latter and less of the former.
This means a lot more focus on melodic riffs, more temperate tempos and an overall less abrasive sound. Less Immortal and Satyricon, more (early) Unanimated, Decameron, Noctes and what have you. There’s a certain thrashier edge to some of the songs, in that same very Swedish style, perhaps to some extent thanks to Alessandrini behind the drum kit. The vocals, too, are the harsh, ripping scream more typical to the Swedish bands that yer run-of-the-mill black metal screams.
Stylewise, this is not a bad shift for Demolyn. Especially when combined with increasing maturity in the songwriting department. The compositions come across as more ambitious, with more complexity in both structure and riffage. On occasion, the shift from one section to another is a bit clumsy, such as the changes in Into The Casket, but this is just about the only point of criticism as far a the compositions go. To compensate, there are some pretty tasty riffs strewn about here and there.
On the whole, the increased presence of classic Swedish melodic black/death metal and the increased ambition in the songwriting is a genuine and remarkable step forward for Demolyn. At the same time as the musical nature of the project has changed, it seems like Demolyn are starting to hit their stride.
The stylistic shift may force some to re-evaluate their take on the band – for better or for worse! However, taken on objective terms, I think it’s without question that Slay The Godhead eclipses the debut on every front: the sound is better, the musicianship is better, the songwriting is superior… and of course the drumming is better.
Originality is still not Demolyn’s strongest suit. But on the other hand, it’s been a while since I came across this kind of throwback to late 90’s melodic Swedish extreme metal. So in a contemporary context, I suppose Demolyn occupy a scarcely populated niché after all! And: one that us old farts can wax nostalgic about.
If Demolyn continues to improve at this rate from release to release, what minor kinks remain will be ironed out and gone by the next release.
Only Death Is Real 