VANISHING SESSIONS

"Vanishing Sessions" is an EP release by Finnish death metal act Demilich. The EP was released through Dissonant Tapes in December 2021. It´s the first new material from Demilich since the release of their debut full-length studio album "Nespithe" from February 1993. Demilich had a longer break in activities from 1993-2005 and disbanded again after recording the three tracks featured on the 13:06 minutes long EP in the Spring of 2006. The material was first made available on the January 2014 "20th Adversary of Emptiness" compilation album (which compiles all recorded material by Demilich) and has since also appeared on the September 2018 "Em9t2ness of Van2s1ing / V34ish6ng 0f Emptiness" compilation album. "Vanishing Sessions" is however the first time the three tracks from the spring 2006 sessions see an individual release.

I´m not sure about "The Faces Right Below the Skin of the Earth", but both "Emptiness of Vanishing" and "Vanishing of Emptiness" were written in the period between the July 1991 "The Four Instructive Tales ...of Decomposition" demo and the May 1992 "...Somewhere Inside the Bowels of Endlessness..." demo, but not recorded and released during that time. If "The Faces Right Below the Skin of the Earth" is a representation of a Demilich song composed in 2005/2006 it´s proof that Demilich still had a lot to say, because it´s quite the brilliant dissonant technical death metal track in typical Demilich style. Abstract, weird, vile, and oddly charming death metal with a burbing growling vocalist in front. The two older tracks are slightly more "old school" and simpler, but still quite sophisticated and technical in execution. Demilich were never you run-of-the-mill type old school death metal act.

"Vanishing Sessions" features a powerful, raw, yet detailed sound production, and it´s a near perfect sound for the material. Demilich are as well playing as ever, delivering their laid-back heavy grooves, twisted leads and harmonies, and an abysmal dark atmosphere. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)