Metal Gear Solid is an entrancing game series, if not downright awesome. Any band that has the mind to name themselves from the “Outer Heaven” concept from said series must be awesome, right? Correct. For the uninitiated, the aforementioned concept involved ending the exploitation of soldier’s by governments. Stoic as it maybe, the sacrilegious vibe of the name is enticing. Outer Heaven play their war tune slow and heavy, cruel and calculating. This meaner than mean blend of doom metal and hardcore moves like a dull, weighted ax bent on giving the executioner’s block the big red kiss. This seven-track demo will make heads roll.
“Eden Burns” is towering, weaving a mosh-friendly opener with riffs that do nothing short of crush. You will be air-punching, so give yourself plenty of killing room. “Vultures” is a brisk smattering of a track, rife with rage and tangible wrath. Riding it snare like a hellhorse, “Vultures” circles into a “Death Grip,” which like “Eden Burns” before it, was meant for inflicting joyous pain. “Vessel Empty” has a dash of Suffocation that finds itself strangled among the metallic hardcore backdrop, making it one of the demo’s nastier, more complex confections.
“Towards the Sun” is the most fun Outer Heaven offers here and, quite frankly, its fun borders on old school doom. As the aforementioned doom’s pace picks up, we find this PA outfit letting their hardcore and metal sides blending into perfection. Final track, “Chained,” takes the demo into its darkest territories. The eerie chills that rise from beyond the mourning riffs, the depressive crawl of the drums and distant hollow of the vocals combine to create a virulent atmosphere.
The entirety of Outer Heaven’s demo is available as “name your price” download from their Bandcamp and be sure to check out their label, Melotov Records. Don’t sleep on this demo, I foresee nothing but good ol’ fashioned metal glory in their future.
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