UMUR
"Reborn in Blasphemy" is the third studio demo release by Swedish death metal act Dismember. The demo was independently released in August 1990 although Nuclear Blast Records also released a label version of the demo. All material from the demo has been re-released and is available on the 2005 "Complete Demos" compilation album (Regain Records). Dismember formed in May 1988 and released two rehearsal demos and two studio demos before disbanding in October 1989, as a consequence of drummer Fred Estby leaving to join Carnage (shortly after guitarist David Blomqvist also followed).
After recording Carnage debut full-length studio album "Dark Recollections" in February 1990, guitarist/founder of Carnage Michael Amott was asked to join Carcass, and when he accepted the invitation Carnage immeditately folded. "Dark Recollections" hadn´t even seen a release at that point (and wouldn´t until November 1990), and while the remaining members were of course disappointed that the band folded, they opted to soldier on by reforming Dismember. Initially with the trio lineup of Matti Kärki (vocals), Fred Estby (drums), and David Blomqvist (guitars, bass). Original guitarist Robert Sennebäck did not rejoin at this point, as he was a member of Unleashed. He would rejoin though in time to record Dismember´s debut full-length studio album "Like an Everflowing Stream" (1991). Dismember are helped out on "Reborn in Blasphemy" by Nicke Andersson (Nihilist/Entombed) who plays most lead guitars on the demo.
If you´re familiar with the early Dismember demos, it´s really interesting to hear how much they have developed as composers and musicians since Dismember disbanded in October 1989. It´s only been 10 months, but their recording experiences with Carnage undoubtedly pushed them to become more skilled and the addition of Kärki to the ranks is also a major positive. Kärki´s vocals are growling, intelligible, and commanding. The fact that "Reborn in Blasphemy" was recorded at Sunlight Studio and therefore features what today is known as the fat and brutal Swedish death metal sound doesn´t diminish the impact of the demo. This is through and through a high quality demo release and arguably one of the best quality Swedish demos from that time. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.