UMUR
"Cambodia" is an EP release by Swedish death metal act Hearse released through Karmageddon Media in January 2005. It bridges the gap between the band´s second and third full-length studio albums "Armageddon, Mon Amour (2004)" and "The Last Ordeal (2005)". Featuring 9 tracks and a full playing time of 40:38 minutes, it´s safe to say that "Cambodia" is a long EP.
"Cambodia" features two new tracks, the cover of Kim Wilde´s "Cambodia", which was also featured on "Armageddon, Mon Amour (2004)", the two tracks from the out of print "Torch (2002)" 7" vinyl EP and four demo versions of tracks that are featured on the "Dominion Reptilian (2003)" album. There little that´ll surprise anyone about the material on the EP, which are in the usual melodic death meal/death´n´roll style that Hearse are known for. Except for a slightly more raw sound production on the demo tracks (which isn´t an issue in the least), the material are of the same high quality as we´re used to when Hearse are involved. Soaring melodic leads, beautiful harmony work, a hard rocking rhythm section, galloping heavy metal riffing and Johan Liiva´s distinct sounding semi-growling vocals in front.
You can argue how much value you get for the money considering that there are only two completely new tracks on the EP (which are both great), but personally I enjoy the raw demo versions of the four tracks from "Dominion Reptilian (2003)" and also the two tracks from the "Torch (2002)" EP. Both also appear in different versions on "Dominion Reptilian (2003)", but even considering that fact "Cambodia" is still a worthy purchase and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.