Devil - Magister Mundi Xum mp3 album

The tape already made it “Demo-tape of the Month” in German magazine RockHard and that is well-deserved! Magister Mundi Xum, as it is called, offers one intro and five cool tracks that summon old-school vibes in an instant. Doom, mid-paced gallop, some uptempo stuff and occult lyrics, you get it all! The guitars of Stian Fossum and Kai Wanderås hit you straight away with pounding riffs and some great NWOBHMesque leads and Thomas Ljosåk’s bass complements these perfectly, being upfront in the mix. The drums by Ronny Østli are tight and rumble away in early 80′s Venom style. Singer Joakim Trangsrud doesn’t have a wide range, but that doesn’t matter that much as he delivers the sometimes whacky, but occult lyrics in a fitting manner. The production really lets this tape shine, as it catches the spirit of early Pentagram or even Cirith Ungol and combines it with the roughness of Venom. After the somewhat funny intro (“creepy” atmosphere and horses nickering…), the A-side kicks in with two headbangers that cry out for a pint of beer in one’s hand! My favorite track is on the B-side, however: “Time to Repent”, as it features a nifty wahwah-interlude. Overall, a very persuasive demo that leaves you stunned and full of anticipation for the first full length due ! Please check my blog containing also a review of the 7" by this band: http://underneathadyingsun.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/nod-to-the-oldest-of-schools-devil-from-norway/