Liste des groupes Death Thrash Possessed 1993 Demo

Well, what should I write first?
Okay, first of all: this is not for fans of the classic line-up because there on this record is just one original member left but it is the most important one: Mike Torrao, founder, leader, main composer, guitarist and vocalist of the band.
Sadly nowadays he is out of the music totally.
Therefore it sounds a bit awkard for the "normal" Possessed fan. No Becerra to be found here. But I don't mind. Mike's vocals do the sound more than justice and even sounds deeper, obituary-esque, more modern touch to it. Just listen to the chorus of "Human Extermination"!
His compositions are over the top as usual and comprise all for what Possessed became renowned for: mad fast insane riffing, marvellous martial drumming, a bass very in the background, fast post-melodic leads and a guttural gurgling voice be it from Jeff or Mike doesn't matter at all.
Walter Ryan is way better than Mike Sus but here for me lies the weakness of this record: he sounds too perfect and too fast although his work reminds the old Possessed of course. You cannot hear the unique akward drums of the "Seven Churches" or "Beyond the Gates" albums. Many people despise Mike Sus' drumming. I liked it from the beginning for it is that different from all other records I ever heard. And that is what I miss with Ryan.
Paul Perry does a solid job not more or less.
The second guitarist accomplishes this hell of a piece and can be compared with Lalonde immediately. But I think the comparations are simply because Torrao did the songs and it is his style.
On to the songs:
First hails "The Seventh Sign" which was on the 1991 Demo already. Both versions of it are killer! It is probably one of the fastest songs ever written for the band. After a horror inspired intro the storm blasts with satanic power. The twisted break in the middle reminds of "Burning In Hell" but fits the song very well. Although I preferred the version of the last solo on the first demo more this is still a hitter. The lyrics are back in the Satanic vein.
Secondly "Last Ritual" is on it's turn - beyond doubt the fastest and wildest song in the whole career! Welcome to your nightmare. It sounds like the pace of the first song had been doubled. Incredible! The title unfortunately is like a bad omen: "Last Ritual" was the last song of the last gig of this incarnation in 1993 and the stop for Mike Torrao regarding Possessed. It is more dark and Death Metal than most of the bands of this era.
Finally, after a somewhat stupid intro, "Human Extermination" ehm, exterminates the human listeners. But I have to admit this is a bit embarrassing for the main theme is too extended. A little bit less would have been a little bit more on this. But still a killer and no filler for sure! Here Mike's insane songwriting with these classical riffing turns out best.
The production is astonishing good if you consider the time of release back then. And as mentioned above it is very Death Metallish, much darker and denser than on the classic records except maybe "BTG" with its morbid feel to it.
What if left to say?
It's a shame this piece of music is so few known to the metal community as is the whole Torrao-only-period of the band. And the biggest shame goes out to Torrao himself not to have continued and put out those songs on a proper LP!!!!
Enough said.