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Bloody Pathology (1994)
Released in 1994, Bloody Pathology is the second demo tape from the Russian band Eclipse. The music here is death metal with somewhat complex structures and a stripped-down sound. The songwriting is quite varied throughout, as the band blends energetic thrash riffs, ominous tremolo passages, and slower sections that hearken back to early Black Sabbath. The musicianship is solid, and they handle the numerous tempo changes with ease.
The production is dry and flat, with guitars that come off thin and lacking the typical distortion of death metal. Similar to Treblinka's Crawling in Vomits demo, the bass is more audible than it should be, not because it’s mixed prominently, but because the guitar tone is so clean. The overall sound is also reminiscent of Tormentor's Seventh Day of Doom, sharing a similarly murky and primitive atmosphere. Some of the more haunting melodies here also feel influenced by those Hungarians. There are moments that call back to early Cannibal Corpse, especially in tracks like “Flash Decay” and “Vengeance of the Marsh Corpses”. Some of the more aggressive thrash-based sections are also reminiscent of Phantasm’s Keeper of Death, not terribly aggressive but functional. At times, tremolo-picked riffs creep in that feel closer to black metal, largely due to the cold and hollow production.
For the most part, the vocals are deep and guttural, very similar to the early Incantation records. At times, the vocalist lets out some higher-pitched screams that have a maniacal edge, adding intensity to certain moments. There are a lot of good riffs here, and the mood stays dark for most of the demo. That said, it feels like something is missing. Maybe it’s the production, but some of the songs fall a bit flat and lack the sort of raw energy or conviction that would push them further. A few passages come off a little too clinical in execution, as if the focus on structure overtook the atmosphere.
All in all, Bloody Pathology is a really solid demo. Eclipse was one of the better death metal bands in Russia, capable of merging their influences into something that stands on its own, unlike the derivative output of bands like Mortem. Whatever flaws this has only add to the charm and give it a bit of character. This is definitely worth a listen.
The production is dry and flat, with guitars that come off thin and lacking the typical distortion of death metal. Similar to Treblinka's Crawling in Vomits demo, the bass is more audible than it should be, not because it’s mixed prominently, but because the guitar tone is so clean. The overall sound is also reminiscent of Tormentor's Seventh Day of Doom, sharing a similarly murky and primitive atmosphere. Some of the more haunting melodies here also feel influenced by those Hungarians. There are moments that call back to early Cannibal Corpse, especially in tracks like “Flash Decay” and “Vengeance of the Marsh Corpses”. Some of the more aggressive thrash-based sections are also reminiscent of Phantasm’s Keeper of Death, not terribly aggressive but functional. At times, tremolo-picked riffs creep in that feel closer to black metal, largely due to the cold and hollow production.
For the most part, the vocals are deep and guttural, very similar to the early Incantation records. At times, the vocalist lets out some higher-pitched screams that have a maniacal edge, adding intensity to certain moments. There are a lot of good riffs here, and the mood stays dark for most of the demo. That said, it feels like something is missing. Maybe it’s the production, but some of the songs fall a bit flat and lack the sort of raw energy or conviction that would push them further. A few passages come off a little too clinical in execution, as if the focus on structure overtook the atmosphere.
All in all, Bloody Pathology is a really solid demo. Eclipse was one of the better death metal bands in Russia, capable of merging their influences into something that stands on its own, unlike the derivative output of bands like Mortem. Whatever flaws this has only add to the charm and give it a bit of character. This is definitely worth a listen.
(14 June 2025)
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