Review by Tobias on December 31, 2001.

This MUST be the absolute best thing I’ve heard out of Italy. Yes, smartass, I’ve heard Lacuna Coil and they should quiver in fear of their countrymen.

Funereum has taken a few styles out there and made them completely their own by adding some trademark sounds and a fantastic indie recording style. Everything on this far-too-short 20 minutes of metal delight has a slightly removed or distant sound to it, giving it all the perfect atmosphere.

The vocal style vacillates from a choral clean to a vicious hardcore scream with just the right balance to keep the listener cheering for the return of each style.

The music is dynamically fantastic, with perfect tones, strokes and a unique vision. This is probably best represented in the final track, 'Nothingeverthing’s Temple', where the guitars lay down riffs and hooks that will have you spinning.

Despite the fact that this demo has a few issues to clear up with the sound quality, the overall production here was excellent. This is one demo that is not to be missed, and I highly recommend you snag a copy if you can.

Bottom Line: This is a band that deserves some serious respect! I’m itching for full-length of their unique brand of melodic-hardcore-death metal mix.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7
Originality: 7
Overall: 10

Rating: 8.2 of 10

Review by JD on September 5, 2012.

I remember the Bay Area Thrash of the eighties - that was some of the best metal that was ever made. San Francisco has been the epicentre for Thrash for years and seemed to had been lost, and now that supremacy had awaked the Thrash beasts. Now a new scene from San Fran has emerged with new and even more hungry Thrash masters to feed the need for metal once again.

Mudface is one of the new breed of Bay Area Thrash poised to take the metal world by force with laser sharp riffs and bludgeoning bass and drums accented by smart lyrics delivered with a growl. Combining the biting sharp old school of Thrash with Traditional Metal that has added in some of there own original aggression, it is in one term I am coining right now for these guys: ubber-thrash(Super Thrash).

As I dove into the album, I found myself sucked in like a moth to a flame. I was amazed with the blazing and blitzing riff that anchored 'Killshot', not to mention being blown away by the slamming lyrical mastery that was the 'Ghost Of Desolation' as it cut a wide swath through the grey matter in my head. The other tracks held the power to make my head bang without even me thinking about it- a sure sign that this was one of those albums that spoke to me, Mudface clearly is the new face of Thrash.

I love Exodus and Testament and the mighty Slayer and now Mudface has brought new blood into the mosh pits. They have made the old school Thrash return, and lit the flame of the passion again. Get Mudface’s album and see for yourself - guaranteed it will not end up disappointing you.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by JD on September 5, 2012.

I remember the Bay Area Thrash of the eighties - that was some of the best metal that was ever made. San Francisco has been the epicentre for Thrash for years and seemed to had been lost, and now that supremacy had awaked the Thrash beasts. Now a new scene from San Fran has emerged with new and even more hungry Thrash masters to feed the need for metal once again.

Mudface is one of the new breed of Bay Area Thrash poised to take the metal world by force with laser sharp riffs and bludgeoning bass and drums accented by smart lyrics delivered with a growl. Combining the biting sharp old school of Thrash with Traditional Metal that has added in some of there own original aggression, it is in one term I am coining right now for these guys: ubber-thrash(Super Thrash).

As I dove into the album, I found myself sucked in like a moth to a flame. I was amazed with the blazing and blitzing riff that anchored 'Killshot', not to mention being blown away by the slamming lyrical mastery that was the 'Ghost Of Desolation' as it cut a wide swath through the grey matter in my head. The other tracks held the power to make my head bang without even me thinking about it- a sure sign that this was one of those albums that spoke to me, Mudface clearly is the new face of Thrash.

I love Exodus and Testament and the mighty Slayer and now Mudface has brought new blood into the mosh pits. They have made the old school Thrash return, and lit the flame of the passion again. Get Mudface’s album and see for yourself - guaranteed it will not end up disappointing you.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10