Phobos And Deimos

Satariel first demo has seen the light back in 1994 (Thy Heavens' Fall) containing songs of mid-tempo black metal. Not much to mention about it nowadays. At this time, Satariel had not found yet their own direction and their song-writing is very limited. However, quiet often, the band is playing around northern Sweden. The second demo (Hellfuck) show a totally new dimension of the band and got good response from magazines and fans around the world, which also result in a couple of offers to record deals (none of them being really attractive). Their third demo (Promo'96) showed a more distinct direction and go the band voted 3rd best unsigned band of 1996 by Swedish major metal magazine Close-up. After signing with Pulverised Record and founding a new drummer, Satariel first album (Lady Lust Lilith) arrives in 1997 and opened the door to a new deal with Hammerheart, which is very interested by this melodic death/black metal band. Phobos And Deimos is the second album of Satariel (first one for Hammerheart) and is an excellent death/black metal album. The main surprise comes from the sound and the song-writing. Satariel explores many grounds and does not limited itself to one style : sometimes I have a feeling to hear Raise Hell or At The Gates ... the next one Candlemass, Celtic Frost or even Dimmu Borgir ... the next second Decide and just after ... In Flames comes to my mind. As said above, Satariel is really inspired and their song-writing is a combination of melody & aggression. First song, Sodomy Eve, is one of the best song and so are The Claim, Betrayer Love (4th & 5th track). The singer sounds more close to death metal, but there are many times when he sings clearly. Between fast and mid-tempo songs, this band does almost every thing. Interesting and very diversified. I must admit I was expecting something much more brutal following the covert-art (which is a bad "marketing" choice for me as it doesn't represent the style of Satariel). A pleasant surprise and .... a record you have to check !!!