PHLEGETHON — Totems Within (review)

PHLEGETHON — Totems Within album cover Demo · 2006 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Totems Within" is the fourth demo recording by Finnish thrash/death metal act Phlegethon. The demo was independently released in the autumn of 2006. The material from "Totems Within" is included on the January 2010 "Drifting in the Crypt" (Xtreem Music) compilation album. Phlegethon´s initial run was from 1988-1992. They shortly reunited in 1995, recorded a promo tape and then disbanded again. During the first two runs they started out playing raw and aggressive thrash metal, then drifted towards an eclectic death metal style, and then to death´n´roll/melodic death metal. So when Lasse Pyykkö as the only original member decided to ressurect Phlegethon again in 2006, it was anyone´s guess what music style the band would play.

As it turns out Pyykkö has opted to play a relatively fast-paced and energetic thrash metal style but with melodic death metal leanings and with more regular shouting vocals, rather than the caustic snarls of the past. This can therefore not be compared to the first two legendary Phlegethon demos. The band have grown and evolved and they are obviously aiming for something which hints at their early days, but still incorporate other elements too. It´s a fairly successful move, and "Totems Within" is certainly their best release since the June 1990 "Neutral Forest" demo. That doesn´t mean it´s a fantastic release by any means though, as it´s first and foremost not a release which screams that it´s Phlegethon playing, and secondly it doesn´t feature a particularly unique sound.

It´s a well produced demo featuring a clear, powerful, and detailed sound production which suits the material well, but upon conclusion this is a pretty standard quality thrash metal release and a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Rot Stink Rip Death Metal
TOMBSTONER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Human Rosin Melodic Metalcore
HATE BREEDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Through The Hell Hardcore Punk
ENEMY 906
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lightmatter: Rebirth Deathcore
EARTHGAZER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Eye Of Horus (Lightmatter EP Pt. 2) Deathcore
EARTHGAZER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Agremorta - Adrocitas (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 5 days ago
Agremorta - Ploratus Umbra (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 5 days ago
Agremorta - Vertex Membrana (Official Lyric Video)
AGREMORTA
Bosh66· 5 days ago
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR - The Temple Of Curved Space (Official Track Stream)
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR
adg211288· 5 days ago
In Sulfur - The Gate (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2022
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 6 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed