I thought I would review this before selling it, but whaddya know, it's a keeper! This Greek band's form of proto-death metal is to my liking after a few more spins, (a few months after I bought this out of a bargain bin). I think this is the same band that was on the Unisound/S.O.D. sampler "Into the Catachthonium Vol.2" with the track "Remain Immortal", correct me if I'm mistaken anyone.

Ethereal's "Om Santhi" reminds me of Massacre (Florida)'s debut, but even more underproduced. The vocals are more indecipherable though; death growls that make as much sense as early Obituary. Keyboards pop up now and then to add dynamics or as a bridge in songs. A few fast, almost blast beats. Some punky beats that Slaughter would have used. Speaking of which the cover of "Nocturnal hell" is sort of cool. This CD's production is sparse, thin and low (lo-fi?), more suited for a black metal band. Ethereal write and sing in a death metal style though, so it's kind of neat to see a crossover. It took awhile for this to grow on me. "Inbred Narcissim" has unique drum patterns at the end. Nice to see someone put Neil Peart on a thanks list, and try a little something new.

Decent release, true to mid80s/early 90s death metal demo acts, with very few new ideas thrown in.

Tracks are: Om Santhi/ Years of Virely Nihilism/ The Fields of Emptiness/ Inbred Narcissism/ Exposition of Ambicious Race/ Nocturnal Hell/ Interstellar Introspection

PS. Why do Greek bands sometimes have the same shitty production that Brazilian death metal bands in the 80s had? They moved the studios over there, haha!

© 2000 mlotek