An oft-cited fact about ADRAMELECH is of their bloodline with Finnish death metal legends DEMIGOD, knowledge which has buried the former in the (sullen) eyes of many given that the latter truly managed to live up to their moniker. Less recognized is that ADRAMELECH is far from a DEMIGOD cast-off, and was actually a contemporaneous entity that developed musically in some parallel with those legends. Convincing evidence of this relationship can be heard in the form of the "Grip of Darkness" demo (1992), the first full studio release from the band.

Immediately apparent in the demo's construction are close ties to the DEMIGOD demo-era aesthetic, vocally and in most aspects of production. However, unlike DEMIGOD, the songwriting is often more straightforward percussive, with tension held high, purveying a North American influence in approach. An exception is the title track, which moves more timidly with tempo, and relies more on melodic rhythm for momentum. Present also are the strange and obscurely beautiful lead guitar and accents that are a defining trademark of most of the coveted Finnish death metal (AMORPHIS, ABHORRENCE, DEMIGOD et al).

For a debut studio recording, this is very well put together, and is obviously the result of experienced (albeit young) musicians with vision. Those who enjoy the "Psychostasia" album, in particular, will gain from this demo in hearing the germination of the niche style at the confluence of frenetic, American style song structure, a hint of Northern melody, and the refined riff craft present in both.

"Spring of Recovery" 7" EP 1992
1. Dethroned
2. Mortal God
3. Revived

Synopsis: Finnish death metal; familiar but still eccentrically beautiful.
Production: Ideal: "clean," thick, and bottom-heavy.
Dub/sound grade: B

Recorded on the heels of their "Grip of Darkness" demo, the "Spring of Recovery" 7" marked the first official release for the band (Adipocere Records, France). Although, as could be expected, this EP is not a large departure from their previously recorded work (with ˝ of non-intro material re-recorded from the demo), the B-side track “Revived” in particular manages to be one of the most ambitious songs written by the band, who are generally regarded as reliably straight-forward in approach.

On the A side, a short, mid-paced metal instrumental intro leads directly into "Mortal God," a violent, simplistic track representative of the spirit of the demo from which it was taken, and thus the philosophy of the early works of the band as a whole. Riffs and rhythms juxtapose rather predictably between blast and double-kick seated riffing, which support only a small number of similar melodic themes over the course of a rather short song.

As mentioned, the B-side represents a clear departure, solidifying the entire EP as a listenable experience. DEMIGOD influence shines forth fully on the track; percussion is supportive, but not overbearing, which lends an elegant air to the movement of the song, opening it to more mature melodic interplay. ADRAMELECH take advantage of this with a multi-textured approach (keyboards and acoustic guitar bookend the song with root melody), as well as experimentation with very atonal lead guitar accents and more ambitious riff sequencing.

Although only a minor formative step, part of this EP is able to step beyond the competent, but basic death metal of the “Grip of Darkness” demo to foreshadow something more advanced, although it appears there was some recursive influence from DEMIGOD which shaped this identity also. Recommended as an aesthetic pleasure and an examination of the gradual evolution of a promising young act.