Ny utgave av Malleus Maleficarum (Pestilence)
- Posted on 01-05-2008
Label:
Metal Mind
Pestilence is considered one of the most important icons of the technical metal scene. Known for mixing various influences, from thrash to jazz and fusion with classic death metal, the band became a legend a long time before their final split-up in 1993. Now, with the exclusive re-release of Pestilence’s debut album "Malleus Maleficarum", metal fans may once again witness the sheer genius of this truly unique formation…
“Malleus Maleficarum” is definitely an album worth picking up by any metal enthusiast. It delivers a solid thrash/death metal assault and marks the beginning of Pestilence’s artistic journey through a brutal world of damnation. If you’re a true fan of technical death metal, be sure to include yourself in that voyage!
New digipak edition limited to 2000 copies will be released by Metal Mind Productions on 19th May 2008 in Europe (except for Benelux) and on 8th July 2008 in USA (via MVD). Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc
Pestilence“Malleus Maleficarum” (remastered)
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1178 DG
Barcode: 5907785032439
Format: CD Digipak (limited edition of 2000 numerated copies)
Genre: metal
Release date: 19.05.2008 Europe / 08.07.2008 USA
Tracklist:
1. Malleus Maleficarum/Antropomrphia
2. Parracide
3. Subordinate To The Domination
4. Extreme Unction
5. Commandments
6. Chemo Therapy
7. Bacterial Surgery
8. Cycle Of Existence
9. Osculum Infame
10. Systematic Instruction
2. Parracide
3. Subordinate To The Domination
4. Extreme Unction
5. Commandments
6. Chemo Therapy
7. Bacterial Surgery
8. Cycle Of Existence
9. Osculum Infame
10. Systematic Instruction
Bio
The band’s origins reach all the way back to the end of the 80’s, when thrash metal took its toll as the most influential genre of heavy music at that time. Thus Pestilence was formed definitely on thrash grounds. Patrick Mameli (guitar, vocals), Randy Meinhard (guitar) and Marco Foddis (drums) recorded their first demo, Dysentery, in 1986, but it was only after The Penance, recorded in 1987 with a newly adjoined member, Martin van Drunen (bass/vocals), that the band caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, who agreed to release their first official album, Malleus Maleficarum (1988). While the two demos were certainly rooted in the thrash metal tradition, the debut showcased a raw, more aggressive, but also focused approach towards heavy sounds. Produced by Kalle Trapp, Malleus Maleficarum combined the pure aggression of thrash metal in the likes of Destruction with the technique of death metal, forming together a truly splendorous offering. Songs such as “Malleus Maleficarum/Antropomorphia”, “Parricide” and “Chemo-Therapy” bring out the best features of both thrash and death metal, instantly overpowering the listener with sheer brutality.
Soon after the album was released, Randy Mainhard left the band to form Sacrosant, which played old-school, classic thrash metal. Pestilence continued its musical voyage, teaming up with a new guitarist, Patrick Uterwijk. In 1989 they released their second album – Consuming Impulse. The thrash influences have been swept away, as the band turned its efforts purely towards technical death metal. The music gained in brutality and heaviness, and the vocalist Martin van Drunen moved away from cleaner vocals in favor of heavy duty growling. With the release of this album Pestilence gained international acclaim, quickly becoming a new death metal icon among the fans. However, before the follow-up LP was recorded, another change in the line-up occurred, as vocalist and bassist Martin van Drunen departed to front Asphyx. The successor who took van Drunen’s place was Tony Choy, known from the technical death metal group Cynic. From now on, Patrick Mameli took over the vocal duties. With this line-up Pestilence released their third album, Testimony Of The Ancients, in 1991. This LP was not as aggressive as the former, but it showed a definitely more complex musicianship, backed by the best production in the band’s history. Soon after the release of this album, Tony Choy left for Atheist and Pestilence enlisted Jeroen Paul Thesseling as their new bass player. Over the next few years the band intensively developed their style, incorporating ideas mostly from the jazz-fusion genre. The fourth and final album, Spheres (1993) brought a thrilling mixture of jazz-fusion elements with death metal, which thanks to the heavy use of synth guitars presented a totally new quality in aggressive music. Although the combination worked brilliantly, the album divided Pestilence’s fans, being for some too controversial in its substance. The group also lost the support of their label and touring became more and more problematic. This caused a growing tension between the band members, which eventually lead to a split-up, due to, as the musicians claim themselves, reaching their “creative climax”. In 1994 Roadrunner Records released Mind Reflections, which was a compilation of the band’s best songs, along with one rare track and six live recordings. This was the last chapter written in Pestilence’s history…
The band’s origins reach all the way back to the end of the 80’s, when thrash metal took its toll as the most influential genre of heavy music at that time. Thus Pestilence was formed definitely on thrash grounds. Patrick Mameli (guitar, vocals), Randy Meinhard (guitar) and Marco Foddis (drums) recorded their first demo, Dysentery, in 1986, but it was only after The Penance, recorded in 1987 with a newly adjoined member, Martin van Drunen (bass/vocals), that the band caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, who agreed to release their first official album, Malleus Maleficarum (1988). While the two demos were certainly rooted in the thrash metal tradition, the debut showcased a raw, more aggressive, but also focused approach towards heavy sounds. Produced by Kalle Trapp, Malleus Maleficarum combined the pure aggression of thrash metal in the likes of Destruction with the technique of death metal, forming together a truly splendorous offering. Songs such as “Malleus Maleficarum/Antropomorphia”, “Parricide” and “Chemo-Therapy” bring out the best features of both thrash and death metal, instantly overpowering the listener with sheer brutality.
Soon after the album was released, Randy Mainhard left the band to form Sacrosant, which played old-school, classic thrash metal. Pestilence continued its musical voyage, teaming up with a new guitarist, Patrick Uterwijk. In 1989 they released their second album – Consuming Impulse. The thrash influences have been swept away, as the band turned its efforts purely towards technical death metal. The music gained in brutality and heaviness, and the vocalist Martin van Drunen moved away from cleaner vocals in favor of heavy duty growling. With the release of this album Pestilence gained international acclaim, quickly becoming a new death metal icon among the fans. However, before the follow-up LP was recorded, another change in the line-up occurred, as vocalist and bassist Martin van Drunen departed to front Asphyx. The successor who took van Drunen’s place was Tony Choy, known from the technical death metal group Cynic. From now on, Patrick Mameli took over the vocal duties. With this line-up Pestilence released their third album, Testimony Of The Ancients, in 1991. This LP was not as aggressive as the former, but it showed a definitely more complex musicianship, backed by the best production in the band’s history. Soon after the release of this album, Tony Choy left for Atheist and Pestilence enlisted Jeroen Paul Thesseling as their new bass player. Over the next few years the band intensively developed their style, incorporating ideas mostly from the jazz-fusion genre. The fourth and final album, Spheres (1993) brought a thrilling mixture of jazz-fusion elements with death metal, which thanks to the heavy use of synth guitars presented a totally new quality in aggressive music. Although the combination worked brilliantly, the album divided Pestilence’s fans, being for some too controversial in its substance. The group also lost the support of their label and touring became more and more problematic. This caused a growing tension between the band members, which eventually lead to a split-up, due to, as the musicians claim themselves, reaching their “creative climax”. In 1994 Roadrunner Records released Mind Reflections, which was a compilation of the band’s best songs, along with one rare track and six live recordings. This was the last chapter written in Pestilence’s history…