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Faces of Death (1985)
Recorded and released in 1985, Faces of Death is the only proper demo from the short-lived band Terminal Death. This is primeval, raw death metal dripping with the darkness and savagery of an era long forgotten. Influences from Slayer, Possessed, and Death are clear, but this sounds even more malevolent. Several tremolo riffs and lead guitar solos throughout the demo share similarities with Hell Awaits and Seven Churches, conjuring the same infernal atmosphere. The vocals are some of the most demonic, possessed, and hateful ever captured on tape. Brief high-pitched screams, similar to Sarcófago, serve as a reminder that this is the '80s.
The production is raw but clear enough to catch what’s going on. Faces of Death was recorded live on two tracks with music on one and vocals on the other. The guitars could be higher in the mix, since the riffs and solos get a bit drowned out by the drums but there was no way to fix this due to the limitations. Aside from that, there isn't a single other weakness to be found. The songwriting is very solid, especially considering this was the first thing these guys recorded. There’s a complexity beneath the raw demo tape sound, with riffs transitioning fluidly from one to the next. Each carries some kind of feeling, whether dark and ominous or chaotic and aggressive. The slower, doomier moments add weight and depth, while the faster, more vicious riffs slice through you and the sinister vocals summon the legions of Hell.
Faces of Death is not merely some curiosity, nor is Terminal Death just a trivial “what if.” This demo stands on its own, something powerful and dark that reaches from the pitch-black abyss. If you're into raw, genuine death metal from the '80s, this is absolutely essential listening.
The production is raw but clear enough to catch what’s going on. Faces of Death was recorded live on two tracks with music on one and vocals on the other. The guitars could be higher in the mix, since the riffs and solos get a bit drowned out by the drums but there was no way to fix this due to the limitations. Aside from that, there isn't a single other weakness to be found. The songwriting is very solid, especially considering this was the first thing these guys recorded. There’s a complexity beneath the raw demo tape sound, with riffs transitioning fluidly from one to the next. Each carries some kind of feeling, whether dark and ominous or chaotic and aggressive. The slower, doomier moments add weight and depth, while the faster, more vicious riffs slice through you and the sinister vocals summon the legions of Hell.
Faces of Death is not merely some curiosity, nor is Terminal Death just a trivial “what if.” This demo stands on its own, something powerful and dark that reaches from the pitch-black abyss. If you're into raw, genuine death metal from the '80s, this is absolutely essential listening.
(16 July 2025)
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