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Apokalipsa (1989)
Recorded and released in 1989, Apokalipsa is the first demo from Morgoth. These Poles play a vicious style of thrash with clear influences from early Slayer, Kreator and even some Celtic Frost. The production is rough and low-quality, with the sound dropping out at times, but the rawness perfectly suits the material and adds to the gritty vibe. The guitar tone has a sharp, jagged edge that manages to slice through the murkiness.
Apokalipsa is very riff-driven, with clear inspirations from albums like Show No Mercy and Endless Pain, particularly evident on "Zakonnik". The music possesses a very intense, often evil feeling. “Święta inkwizycja” features riffs that would not be out of place on Bathory's debut while “Ostatnie chwile życia” is reminiscent of Sabbat from Japan. The vocals are in a raspy, harsh style similar to early Sodom or Kreator. The fact that Morgoth is listed online as death metal is another demonstration that people don't bother to actually listen to the music. This could be considered death/thrash in a sense, with a major emphasis on thrash. Only a poser would hear a few of fast guitars and harsh vocals and think that makes it death metal.
After releasing a second demo the following year, a few of the members joined up with a couple guys from fellow Polish band Scarecrow to form Indulgence. At any rate, Apokalipsa is a very solid recording from Poland's shadowy, fertile underground scene. If you're into demo tapes with a raw and dark sound, this is definitely worth checking out.
Apokalipsa is very riff-driven, with clear inspirations from albums like Show No Mercy and Endless Pain, particularly evident on "Zakonnik". The music possesses a very intense, often evil feeling. “Święta inkwizycja” features riffs that would not be out of place on Bathory's debut while “Ostatnie chwile życia” is reminiscent of Sabbat from Japan. The vocals are in a raspy, harsh style similar to early Sodom or Kreator. The fact that Morgoth is listed online as death metal is another demonstration that people don't bother to actually listen to the music. This could be considered death/thrash in a sense, with a major emphasis on thrash. Only a poser would hear a few of fast guitars and harsh vocals and think that makes it death metal.
After releasing a second demo the following year, a few of the members joined up with a couple guys from fellow Polish band Scarecrow to form Indulgence. At any rate, Apokalipsa is a very solid recording from Poland's shadowy, fertile underground scene. If you're into demo tapes with a raw and dark sound, this is definitely worth checking out.
(13 Aug. 2025)
Wishful Thinking (1990)
Morgoth's second and final demo, Wishful Thinking, was released in 1990. This time around, the band created something far more savage, raw, and abrasive. The thrash element is still there, but now with a stronger black/death feel, in the vein of Dethroner and Scarecrow. The tracks are short but intense, vile in a way that threatens to rip your face off. The vocals are more maniacal than on the previous demo, matching the frenzied nature of the playing. There are moments where things are more atmospheric, with slower riffs and clean guitars, such as on “Gloria,” adding a layer of gloom. On the other hand, “Morgoth 2” utilizes dissonant chords as well as riffs reminiscent of Bathory's Under the Sign of the Black Mark.
The production is utterly atrocious, but it somehow suits the pure chaos of the material. Most of the music rushes forth at blistering speed, and you have to listen closely to pick up everything that’s going on. The songwriting feels underdeveloped in some places, with only two songs reaching the two-minute mark. In a sense, it almost feels improvised, like the band was possessed by malevolent spirits and used as vessels to bring forth the very sounds of hell.
The primitive nature of the sound is almost jarring compared to Apokalipsa. Wishful Thinking is an ugly, rotten release, and one can only wonder what these Poles would have come up with had they managed to get signed and record a full album. As it stands, this demo was the end for Morgoth, but they left behind a feral hellstorm of evil and chaos. The true sounds of the abyss. The sort of thing that would give nightmares to their spoiled, coddled neighbors to the north. Listen to this, by all means.
The production is utterly atrocious, but it somehow suits the pure chaos of the material. Most of the music rushes forth at blistering speed, and you have to listen closely to pick up everything that’s going on. The songwriting feels underdeveloped in some places, with only two songs reaching the two-minute mark. In a sense, it almost feels improvised, like the band was possessed by malevolent spirits and used as vessels to bring forth the very sounds of hell.
The primitive nature of the sound is almost jarring compared to Apokalipsa. Wishful Thinking is an ugly, rotten release, and one can only wonder what these Poles would have come up with had they managed to get signed and record a full album. As it stands, this demo was the end for Morgoth, but they left behind a feral hellstorm of evil and chaos. The true sounds of the abyss. The sort of thing that would give nightmares to their spoiled, coddled neighbors to the north. Listen to this, by all means.
(13 Aug. 2025)
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