UMUR
"Promo '97" is a demo release by Finnish death metal act Paraxism. The demo was independently released in 1997. It succeeds Paraxism only label release the 1996 ".xism Excursion" EP. Apparently Paraxism still had issues finding a record label to release their music, and had to release another promo to send to labels.
Stylistically the material on the 4 track, 14:45 minutes long demo continues the melodic death´n´roll style Paraxism initiated on the 1995 "Selected Works - Promo 95" and further enchanced on the ".xism Excursion" (1996) EP. So the band had definitely settled on the style of music they wanted to play, and as such they also continue the high quality of the two previous releases. But it´s still like something has changed. The sound production is less interesting, and the drums sound like they are programmed. I´m not sure if this is true or not, but I know that Paraxism always had high quality drumming on the previous releases, and this time it sounds simplistic and lacks creativity.
So upon conclusion "Promo '97" is a solid demo/promo release by Paraxism, but it´s not the release which could bring them the recording contract they so much longed for. That should have happened after one of the two preceding releases. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
