DIABOLIC - City of the Dead (1997)

The Dead City

This completely forgotten three piece demo tape comes from the sunny Tampa. And I think the place of origin is not a surprise if we talk about the metal genre. Yes, this package contains pure death metal exclusively. When I recall these days when I read about Diabolic in underground press and sent well-hidden money in envelope to one of the band’s member… All right, let’s leave these nostalgic whiles and focus on the music. This band was like a fresh wind in the numb scene, where death metal outfits tried to play in most extreme ways forgetting about the metal spirit. The scene was overcrowded by many armies of clones, so these sunny guys from Florida were something new, however I can’t say that their stuff was very original and uncommon. In spite of this fundamental statement, I return very often to the city of the dead and have a really good time.

This demo with the same program on both sides is released in very professional way: good simple cover and powerful sound realization, but don’t be surprised here and take a look on mastering: Jim Morris and Morrisound Studios. Is everything clear? I hope so. The first track “Denounce God” starts with short sinister tunes of introduction and the massacre begins. Here I would like to write that my memories come to one Polish band called Vader and their second album “De Profundis”. Of course there is no plagiarism, but ‘in the same vein’ is a good description – death metal played in its purest form. Diabolic proposes tempo changes, slow and very fast parts, typical growls and clean, gloomy vocals in some moments, uncomplicated yet ‘vivid’ guitar riffs. The second title song is even better. Maybe connotations with Vader are gone, or maybe this is just a death metal killer? The first half is very, very slow, hard and pounding riffs crush the listener effectively, but with Paul’s word “…die…”, Diabolic shows faster face, there is also short solo lead (‘shy’ a bit here), but this element in their music will be very significant in the future. The last “Vortex” is like a mix of the best patterns in death metal. They throw to the big pot fast tempos, interesting riffs, cool guitar lead and murderous Aantar drums. This song simply kills and invites the listener to put the button play once again.

“City of the Dead” lasts only twelve minutes and saying that appetite comes with eating fits here perfectly. The Americans built their musical castle on the very solid ground of pure death metal, maybe beside Vader, I can also mention such names as Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse. There is a hellish force, metal passion and good music. And the debut album (released one year later) didn’t change these aforementioned elements. And what is more, the band reached another better level.  

75/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on July, 2012, now modified a bit)