Moondark - The Shadowpath (2007)

   Moondark's "The Shadowpath" demo originally came out in 1993. Since the demo was pretty much all-round stunning (even by sound quality, which wasn't usual at '90s demo tapes) it had a decent release by No Colours Records in 2007 (and later by Xtreem Music as well in 2015).
   Despite the nearly endless line of Swedish death metal bands, it proved to be pretty difficult to pass by "The Shadowpath". Moondark reached nearly death/doom-like depths by their down tuned, rumbling-noisy music. It wasn't a short demo by its 35 mins length, and the band did an excellent job by filling it with ominous, demoralizing themes. These themes combined with the common slow downs, the raw, noisy sound and deep growling vocal created an exceptionally dark impression, that's comparable to Eternal Darkness, another lesser known, but iconic Swedish death metal classic of the early '90s. It wasn't just another ordinary old school Swedish death metal material, but something way heavier. Even though the members of the original line-up showed up in various other (longer lasting and therefore probably better known) bands like Centinex, Interment, Demonical and October Tide, none of them were even close to the inhumanly dark essence that was introduced by "The Shadowpath". Strongly recommended for the fans of death/doom heaviness!