Reissues of the initial duo from early 90s Swedish retro-thrash/black metallers. At a time when uncertainty ruled the metal world, newer bands were looking backwards, digging beneath the glossy 80s glories. Together, these albums barely crack an hour. Even now, with a ninth, bonus cover tune (Bathory’s ‘Die In Fire’ on the eponymous ’94 debut and Volcano’s ‘Witches Sabbath’ for the sophomore effort) they can (should have?) fit on a single CD.

While re-issued just a few years ago, the newest incarnation retain the original artwork and have short commentary/overview by Metalion, of Norway’s famed Slayer magazine, the original underground zine. Interesting side note (and perhaps part of the recent re-issue frenzy), guest guitars on both discs courtesy of the late Jon Nodtveidt (Dissection). Raw, treble-heavy production that probably was never intended for crisp digital media, think AM radio static. Regardless, in the face of the prior decade’s excesses, the approach is about honesty, speed and intensity. Plenty of the latter, in spades: screams, screeches, scratches and crashes!

The ride cymbal accents on ‘Black Curse’ are nearly inaudible, yet they tried. ‘Sodomizer’ is a wild whammy-bar ride, while the later half of ‘Storm Of Satan’s Fire’ moves to a melodic riff.

On album #2, the production is cleaner (a relative term), as the studded/spiked, chained and in the case of Demon (drums) hooded, trio literally pound out rhythms. What’s this? ‘The Final Slaughter’ plays around with a surf music sound, between the six-string soloing. Seems like a lot less vocals on “Devil’s Force” and those that exist are more belches than tortured screams. Nice guitar run in ‘Satanic Mass’. Old-school to the max!