The Winterlong

In the early '90s, Sweden had become a festering breeding ground for death metal bands. Inspired by genre originators from the Americas (Death, Sepultura) and their British grindcore counterparts (Napalm Death, Carcass), hundreds of well-heeled Swedish kids began flocking into studios (generally, Stockholm's famed Sunlight) to raise all manner of hell against society. God Macabre is among the most overlooked forefathers of the Swedish death metal style, and after a whole decade of historical neglect, their only album, The Winterlong, was finally unearthed and given a worldwide release in 2002. Aesthetically, excellent cuts such as "Into Nowhere" and "Ashes of Mourning Life" and "In Grief" are very reminiscent of Entombed's early efforts, but this in no way detracts from God Macabre's own merits — especially since both bands were coming up at the same time. In other words, The Winterlong is a real treat for serious fans of the genre, who will find it as original and unique in its own way, as it is instantly familiar. Three early demo tracks round out this reissue, providing a pretty complete synopsis of this so far overlooked group.