UMUR
"Espousal Bleeding" is the first demo recording by Swedish death metal act Disgorge. The demo was independently released in April 1994. Disgorge formed in 1991 in the town of Nässjö, which is approximately 100 kilometers east of Gothenburg and relatively close to the town of Jönköping. The band were active from 1991 to 1996 and released two demos in that period, "Espousal Bleeding" being their first output.
Stylistically Disgorge play a relatively brutal US influenced death metal style, which doesn´t sound swedish at all. No fat HM2 buzzaw guitar sound, no two-beat or D-beat drumming, and a generally much faster-paced, technical, and brutal approach to playing death metal. In that respect they are similar to countrymen like Deranged and Insision. It´s however predominantly Deicide I think about when listening to "Espousal Bleeding"...at least when they are most brutal and pummeling. Disgorde do slow things down on occasion though and deliver much heavier mid-paced sections, and even a few melodic solo moments, so it´s not out and out brutality all the way through the demo. The vocals are deep unintelligible growling though which belongs the more brutal end of the death metal scale.
"Espousal Bleeding" is relatively well produced, although the guitars could have prospored from a bit more punch and bite. You´re able to hear all instruments and vocals in the mix though, so that´s a positive. Upon conclusion Disgorge didn´t come up with anything new on this demo and they are clearly content with immitating their US death metal influences. With that said "Espousal Bleeding" is still a good quality demo recording and a 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
