UMUR
"1992-1994 Discography" is a compilation album release by US, Missouri based death metal act Timeghoul. The compilation was released through Dark Descent Records in February 2012. Timeghoul formed in 1987 under the Doom's Lyre monicker but changed their name to Timeghoul in August 1991. They recorded two demos before disbanding in 1994, both of which were more or less forgotten by time, until Dark Descent Records opted to compile the material from the two demos and release it as "1992-1994 Discography".
Stylistically Timeghoul were a bit ahead of their time, which is probably why they have retrospectively been praised and often cited as an inspiration. Their brand of old school death metal features both progressive songwriting ideas (including sections featuring clean singing), relatively technical playing, and a gloomy sci-fi lyrical universe, which many artists would later be inspired by.
The compilation opens with the four tracks from the April 1992 "Tumultuous Travelings" demo, which are raw, heavy, brutal, and quite varied death metal tracks. Tempo changes, dark sci-fi lyrics, and a good understanding of the effects of dynamics. The lyrics are sometimes delivered in a fast staccato fashion, which is a bit silly, but other than that Timeghoul were quite interesting and adventurous on this first demo.
The compilation closes with the two tracks from the August 1994 "Panaramic Twilight" demo. Both tracks are considerably longer ("Boiling in the Hourglass" is 8:29 minutes long and "Occurence on Mimas" is 10:41 minutes long) and are more complex in structure than the already quite unconventional tracks from the first demo. While the tracks from the first demo are all great, the two tracks from the "Panaramic Twilight" demo are the real attraction of "1992-1994 Discography". Progressive and technical death metal featuring many creative and unconventional songwriting ideas, riffs and rhythms, spiced up with loads of guitar harmonies, occasional clean vocals, tempo-changes, and some use of atmosphere enhancing keyboards. While the music still features regular old school death metal elements and sections, I´d say the way Timeghoul incorporate their innovative songwriting ideas are truly progressive and I fully understand why particurlay these two tracks have influenced a lot of artists.
Upon conclusion it was about time someone picked up Timeghoul´s two demos and gave them a proper release. Both demos feature material which fully warrant a reissue and thereby reach more ears. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.