Review by JD on November 5, 2008.

This band come to you straight from Linkoping, Sweden... a small city near the Death Metal Mecca of Stockholm....and that is where the connection really ends. Corporation 187 just is one of those many uninspired Death Metal bands, unfortunately from a country that knows its Death Metal.

Corporation 187 tries it hand at making some melodic style of Death Metal, but it does not seem to get itself fully rolling in that direction. The band itself seems to be able to play more than just adequately, and the vocalist does have that well honed growing voice that seemed to be rather good. The fact is that it all seems all to be thoroughly uninspired and even could be classed as a little 'clunky' in the way each song has been presented.

This project is like a race car without the famed Nitrous for the extra boost... no matter how good you drive, you can't blast it into the next gear. These guys have no Nitrous Oxide tank on board to even try and get themselves going the way they should... the seem satisfied to just hack and slash along in metal mediocrity. The production adds absolutely nothing and even seems to bogs everything down in a quagmire of sound, making it even harder to get into. The lyrics seem pretty good.. But it is far to little... way to late.

Give "Newcomers of Sin" some last rights and take it for a merciful (and very swift) burial... Corporation 187 needs to declare themselves bankrupt as soon as possible... but in saying that, if they go back and put a better effort out... they just might put out a better product than this.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Production: 3
Originality: 3
Overall: 3

Rating: 3.2 out of 10

Review by Felix on November 5, 2019.

Aegrus, Finland. How many (mostly excellent) bands raise hell in this country? I accept that I cannot keep the overview about the global metal scene with all its different styles, but it makes me sick that I even fail to be familiar with each and every Finnish black metal unit that has recorded at least one album. Anyway, if the two songs are representative for the band then it's definitely time to become familiar with its back catalogue.

The band - thank God, not another one-man-project - does not copy the formulas of Finnish role models such as Behexen or Horna, nevertheless, the songs are easily comparable with those of these legendary names. Maelstrom-like guitars create a mix of swift, triumphant, melancholic or - mostly - raging leads, the guttural voice gives a foretaste of eternal damnation and the drummer knows his mission very well and ensures the right amount of tempo changes. Both songs flow excellently, and I am really surprised about this demonstration of strength. The only thing I miss is a third track. And a fourth one. And a fifth one. And... (to be continued)

Purity Through Fire has proved its fine instinct for good bands once again and I hope - and I have no doubt - that Aegrus will go on with an equally strong full-length in order to get more attention from the underground hordes. After three albums, they do not lack maturity, but they also still sound aggressive, fiery and determined. This is a very good starting position, so the dudes should keep on working hard and make the best out of it. In the meanwhile, I try to improve my knowledge about the gargantuan black metal community of Suomi, although I know it is a mammoth task which will overstrain my limited capabilities.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10