review by: Roberto Martinelli

This demo recording from this Norwegian quartet is one that shows excellent promise for this debuting band. The style found on Erasing Mankind fits best under the tag of death metal with melodic, guitar-based flourishes and a few elements that remind of black metal.

To the band's credit, the playing on this demo is very tight. The drumming of Morten Skogen in particular is very impressive, and I will go so far as to call him Frost's little brother. Skogen's skills are further accented by an excellent drum sound that provides the mix with its most fresh and immediately engaging audial aspect, again making one think of Frost, particularly on Satyricon's last two full length albums..

The previously mentioned melodies are aptly composed and arranged throughout the disk's five songs. In fact, the stirring melodies are good enough that I wish that the band would use them more liberally and not have waited so long in the album to introduce them. The vocals on this record are above average, presented in a reasonably fresh variety of lower and higher rasps.

There are a few things that the band needs to iron out, such as the production, which is too bass-heavy. It doesn't get in the way of appreciating the basic qualities of the music, but many more dimensions could be presented with an easing off of what Antarctica may feel is the heavy dial. Still, considering this is the band's first demo, it is a remarkable effort. I hope this group sticks to it. Look out for these guys!