Stench of Decay - Stench of Decay (2012)

   Stench of Decay definitely cannot be introduced as the most productive band, since except their "Visions Beyond Death" EP that included 2 songs, they had only 2 older demos, and in duration both exceeded the single lenght EP.
    The band's self-titled compilation album includes the EP and the 2 previous demos, and by following each other in time order, they showing the way that was leading straigh to their final act. It's an interesting progress to witness, since the demos are more closer to the Swedish old school traditions. The themes, the thrashy intense speed ups and even the sound suggests that on the side of Morbid Angel old Swedish bands could have been the member's main influences. On the self-titled demo some yet not well practiced switches could be heard, that supposed to be creative solutions, but by not fitting to the main themes, just ending up chaotic. Similar intentions were completely avoided on the second demo, and the songs got closer to the tendencies to the local scene, but the Swedish influence is still evident. Their studio quality showing well what depths could be reached with the assistance of better sound. The 2 EP songs presented high quality and Finnish death metal at it's best. Their catchy, mainly middle speed themes combined with rough, unfriendly sound creating an endlessly obscure impression. This kind of "evolutional progress" might be enjoyable to listen especially for old school death metal fans as the music just gets better and better with time.