DEATH — Leprosy Demos (review)

DEATH — Leprosy Demos album cover Demo · 1987 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
The "Leprosy Demos" is a demo recording by US, Florida based death metal act Death. The demo was released in December 1987. It was recorded during a rehearsal on December 5th, 1987. I´m not sure that it´s true, but most sources say that Chuck Schuldiner plays all instruments (including the drums) and performs all vocals on the demo. Schuldiner opted to return to his native Florida after having relocated to California in 1986 and teaming up with drummer Chris Reifert for the recording of the band´s debut full-length studio album "Scream Bloody Gore" (May 1987, Combat Records). He subsequently wanted Reifert to move to Florida with him, but Reifert couldn´t see himself living in the humid heat in Florida, and opted to stay in California and soon after formed his own death metal act Autopsy. So the tracks featured on this demo were recorded while Schuldiner was looking for new musicians to record the sophomore Death album.

All five tracks on the 22:35 minutes long demo would be re-recorded and included on "Leprosy" (November 1988, Combat Records). It´s interesting how well developed classic tracks like "Open Casket" and "Pull the Plug" already were at this point. The technical progress from the more simple songwriting found on "Scream Bloody Gore" is astonishing. If it is indeed Schuldiner who plays the drums he´s quite the capable drummer (his drumming is faster and more technically challenging than what Bill Andrews brought to the table on the final versions). The guitars are sharp sounding too, the guitar solos well played, and the vocals are snarling and aggressive. It´s all a little bit more chaotic, unhinged, and raw than the studio versions on "Leprosy", but no less rewarding. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.
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