UMUR
"Death Unfolds" is the 2nd demo by Swedish death metal act Desultory. The demo was self-released in February 1991 and sold 1500 cassette tape copies. It´s a professionally recorded demo recorded and mixed August 8-10, 1990 at Sunlight Studio with producer Tomas Skogsberg. Desultory formed in 1989 and released the "From Beyond" demo in June 1990. The three tracks featured on "Death Unfolds" were reissued on the "Forever Gone" EP from November 1992 along with the three tracks from the January 1992 demo "Visions". The three demos and the "Forever Gone (1992)" EP helped Desultory secure a three-album deal with Metal Blade Records. The band released their debut full-length studio album "Into Eternity" in February 1993. Both "Passed Away" and "The Chill Within" from "Death Unfolds", made it unto "Into Eternity (1993)" in re-recorded versions.
"Death Unfolds" features a professional studio recording quality and it´s obvious that Desultory are a very well playing band. This does not sound like a demo at all. Stylistically the material is melodic tinged old school Swedish death metal. It´s always dangerous to use the word melodic when describing a Swedish death metal release, because most people will inevitably think of the Gothenburg melodeath scene, so it´s important to emphasize that Desultory´s music is far removed from that sound. Lead vocalist/guitarist Klas Morberg has a raspy snarling growling vocal style, the riffs are downtuned and heavy, and lead guitarist Stefan Pöge adds dark melodic leads to the music. The whole thing is kept together by a raw and organic playing rhythm section.
"Death Unfolds" is a very promising demo release by Desultory and it says a lot about the number of great Swedish acts operating and competing for label contracts in those days, that Desultory had to record another demo to secure a label deal. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.