MC
Both "The Penance" and first demo "Dysentery" are on a bootleg LP by Quaak Records.
The 1998 re-release of "Malleus Maleficarum" with both 80s demos included states that "The Penance" is from 1988, while the official band homepage states that it is from 1987. http://rghost.net/44329770 1. Into Hades (Intro) 00:58 instrumental
2. Before the Penance 06:48
3. Affectation 03:28 Show lyrics
4. Fight the Plague 04:01
15:15 Being a huge fan of Pestilence’s early works, I figured I’ll get the demos and see what they were like. I was very happy with what I was hearing.
The production isn’t bad considering it’s a demo. Better than a lot of demos that I’ve heard. The guitars are pretty heavy. The drums are pretty flat though pretty much no power behind them but it’s not that big of a deal. The bass is really quiet and pretty much inaudible.
“Before the Penance” has some pretty heavy guitar work here. It starts out pretty slow then explodes into the thrash similar to stuff off their first album. If you’re used to his vocals on “Consuming Impulse” you’re in for a treat here. They are nothing like those vocals. Much more thrash style of vocals. “Affectation” is straight forward thrash from beginning to end. With a very heavy thrash break and a nice solo.
This demo is essential to how Pestilence evolved into what they became on their later albums. Not really any traces of death metal on this demo. I personally prefer Pestilence with some death metal feel to it but they still did thrash very well.
Best tracks – All of them
