HYDR HYDR — When Johan was in Norway (review)

HYDR HYDR — When Johan was in Norway album cover Demo · 1990 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"When Johan Was in Norway" is the second demo recording by Swedish/Norwegian death metal act Hydr Hydr. The demo was independently released in late 1990. The band recorded the "Rehearsal / Demo 1990" earlier the same year and three of the tracks from the rehearsal demo made it unto this demo (which is also a rehearsal demo), although some of them bear different titles. Hydr Hydr was a shortlived "fun" project which came about when then-Carnage vocalist Johan Liiva visited Norway and teamed up with three members of the Norwegian death metal scene (hence the title of the demo). Most notably Anders Odden from Cadaver.

Considering that this was probably a very shortlived project that the members of the band did in a few weeks, while Liiva was visiting Norway, and it is most likely a project made for fun, "When Johan Was in Norway" is actually a pretty good quality old school death metal demo. It´s of course a rehearsal demo, which means the sound quality isn´t up there with a studio demo recording, but considering what the band had to work with, the sound production is pretty well sounding (raw, savage, and unpolished, but still effectful).

The tracks are pretty simple death metal tracks with some nods towards Carcass influenced goregrind, and the vocals vary between deep growling and higher pitched snarling. But there are also other types of depraved vocal styles on the demo. So while this is more or less a footnote in early death metal history, "When Johan Was in Norway" is definitely worth your time, if you enjoy authentic, raw, and brutal death metal from the late 80s/early 90s Scandinavian scene. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
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