UMUR
"Damnations Pride" is the second demo release by Swedish thrash/proto-death metal act Obscurity. The demo was independently release in December 1987, almost exactly one year after the December 1986 "Ovations to Death" demo. Obscurity formed in 1985 and released the "Ovations to Death" demo and the "Damnations Pride" demo before disbanding in 1988. They shortly reunited in 1992 and released a two-song demo, but they soon split-up again. The material from the three demos were compiled and released on the 1998 "Damnations Pride" compilation album (Scarlet Records).
The material on the four track, 13:02 minutes long demo pretty much continue the raw, aggressive, and savage thrash metal style of the material from the "Ovations to Death" demo. It´s just presented in a more well defined and detailed sounding production. The sound production makes the otherwise highly energetic and raw performances sound almost human compared to the murky and savage asssault of "Ovations to Death", but don´t be fooled here, this is still intense and brutal thrash metal deliverd in high speed mode, with a snarling aggressive vocalist in front. It´s not wonder many of the Swedish death metal acts who emerged in the late 80s/early 90s cite Obscurity as an influence on their music. "Damnations Pride" is not death metal, but the caustic aggression, the brutality, and the high level musical performances, did not go unnoticed among the aspiring Swedish death metal youngsters. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.