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Skazani na zagładę (1990)
Lastwar was a Polish band formed in the late '80s. Their 1990 demo Skazani na zagładę is vicious death/thrash with influences from Slayer and the Brazilian scene. I first heard these songs from the Sparagmos split but must have gotten a bad copy because everything sounded horribly muddled, like it was a tenth-generation cassette dub. The proper version has a raw and sharp sound, and the riffs just flay the flesh right off your screaming face.
The deathlike vocals and primitive playing add to the barbaric feeling. The intense thrash riffing dominates and maintains a sense of violence, while the tremolo riffs add a sinister edge. The lead guitar solos also add to the hellish sound. There are moments throughout the demo that lean toward the vibe of Scream Bloody Gore or Consuming Impulse, so of course the cover of Death's "Evil Dead" (which is done quite well) fits in perfectly.
It’s almost a secret how active Poland was in the late '80s and early '90s, quietly producing solid thrash and death/thrash bands. Skazani na zagładę is yet another great example of their once-thriving underground and definitely recommended. Highlights include "Królestwo zbrodni" and "Kara śmierci," but at twenty-four minutes in length, just listen to the whole thing.
The deathlike vocals and primitive playing add to the barbaric feeling. The intense thrash riffing dominates and maintains a sense of violence, while the tremolo riffs add a sinister edge. The lead guitar solos also add to the hellish sound. There are moments throughout the demo that lean toward the vibe of Scream Bloody Gore or Consuming Impulse, so of course the cover of Death's "Evil Dead" (which is done quite well) fits in perfectly.
It’s almost a secret how active Poland was in the late '80s and early '90s, quietly producing solid thrash and death/thrash bands. Skazani na zagładę is yet another great example of their once-thriving underground and definitely recommended. Highlights include "Królestwo zbrodni" and "Kara śmierci," but at twenty-four minutes in length, just listen to the whole thing.
(4 June 2025)
Darkness in Eden (1992)
Lastwar's 1992 demo, Darkness in Eden, was released on cassette and offers a solid dose of death/thrash. While the Slayer influence is still audible, these guys really took inspiration from Sepultura this time around. Even the vocals are kind of an autistic, meatheaded attempt to sound like Max Cavalera. This hoarse shouting doesn't suit the music near as much as the harsher death vocals he used in the past. Also, it lacks the rawness of Skazani na zagładę. The jagged edges are somewhat smoothed and the overall production is flat by comparison.
The material here is similar to the earlier demo and features a bit of variation. Some slower riffs are utilized, but the band sounds their best during the much more frequent fast parts. There are some brief death metal riffs, though it leans more toward thrash overall. All of the songs feature hellish lead guitar solos that enhance the aggression and kind of make up for the vocals. Things do get a little monotonous at times, but Darkness in Eden is still a decent demo and worth a listen.
The material here is similar to the earlier demo and features a bit of variation. Some slower riffs are utilized, but the band sounds their best during the much more frequent fast parts. There are some brief death metal riffs, though it leans more toward thrash overall. All of the songs feature hellish lead guitar solos that enhance the aggression and kind of make up for the vocals. Things do get a little monotonous at times, but Darkness in Eden is still a decent demo and worth a listen.
(4 June 2025)
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