GREAT DANE Recs.

This split CD featuring two bands from the Death metal scene of French North was apparently expected by a couple of death metallers, probably since the musicians are in the scene since more than few years...
First approach, the cover picture and various layouts do not look good. Many current demo-releases have better illustrations.

The side of DISGUST contains 3 tracks from each of their previous releases that were reworked, plus a new tune.
The production is brutal and raw, yet clear enough (There's an old MORTICIAN texture I like). The influences are quite varied, in a brutal and old school Death metal spectrum. It reminds me of some BANISHED/ BAPHOMET (R.I.P), old CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL, old DEATH, MORTICIAN and others.
A shame the snare drum isn't present enough in the blasts, because it takes away some power. I also regret the embalming obscure atmosphere I used to dig on some previous DISGUST releases (The mighty "Inquisition" Demo'97!), it's not present on half of the songs.
Some tracks sound good in 2006, some do not sound so good (everheard and not especially efficient) but some tunes are old...
I don't think it would please the fans of modern and ultra technical brutal death, but these 4 songs sound brutal, heavy and might be of interest for those who like it old styled, might it be brutal death or death metal.

I have been following SCARVENGER for few years, seeing them evolve from technical Death metal à la DEATH, to some simpler and more old school conservative Death metal.
This first real recording evolves between old styled death, thrash metal, with heavy metal touches...It could sound like some DEATH, KREATOR, CIANIDE, while the vocals could remind of John Tardy and Chuck Shuldiner... BUT I feel their style currently lacks of energy and urges of pure fucking death!
Even if there are some cool sounding riffs and a little mood, the music sounds unfortunately convenient and flat half of the time. The drum playing is too simple and lacks of energy. I really preferred when SCARVENGER played technical death metal, with many interesting ideas, cools riffs, and technical bass lines everywhere! Their current songs sound more simple and quite "dispirited" in my hears (where have gone the explosive thrashing rage?). While some fast death metal parts are energetic enough, most of the mid placed and heavy keeps me rather cold and it sounds too long.
These average songs sound more like a demo than something Professional.
It might be cool for those who like it old sounding, and like to rest with old metallic sonorities, but it's definitely not for those who like their death metal fast, frenetic or extreme: It lacks of urge to kill!

Global conclusion: I feel it's an average split CD, both on musical and visual points of view. Both bands show some qualities, but I know them quite well and I'm sure they can do better! And it's a shame to release a professionally printed CD with such kind of amateurish "artwork".
Good luck in the future to both bands!