Send your family off on vacation before cranking this extreme album. The beginning of this CD will literally scare the Hell out of them. The art work, which is really well done, depicts a tattered angel knocking on a door (much like a famous picture of Jesus). On the back a demonic creature is depicted conducting some sort of occultic ritual. At first glance someone may mistake this for a satanic album. Lyrically, Possession has a similar tack. I refer to it as the Edgar Allen Poe approach. You get someone's interest with the macabre and then hit them with a message. You see, I'm not calling Poe a Christian, but if you remember "The Telltale Heart" you'll quickly see that it contains a message about guilt. Why can't it be done with music? But once you read the lyrics on this album there will be no doubt as to where they stand. Let's hope the music buyers will read them.
Possession has been labeled an 80's band; which is true to a degree. They do sound a bit like many bands from the 80's--many of whom are still around, I might add. They actually sound like a synthesis of several bands, mostly European. At first listen I was immediately reminded of Kreator, Paradox, Nuclear Assault, and the more recent Carcass. Vocally, Nyk Edinger sounds like an impressionist. He greatly resembles the vocalists from the above mentioned bands, but then, surprisingly, he throws in a wail that sounds like Dale Thompson from the first two Bride albums. And then, he doesn't sound too unlike King Diamond from Merciful Fate or Anonymous from Horde. See what I mean? He's really diverse. All in all, Eternally Haunt is as interesting an album but much more diverse musically than The Unnamable Suffering. The production is also better. It will be, I believe, an instant classic.
There is a bit of controversy surrounding this album. In an interview with Subversive Agenda #2 Nyk Edinger (vocalist) talks about the band's good experience working with Metal Merchant records. Soon after, in an information piece from MM the president had some harsh words for the band calling them babies. Possession responded by accusing the company of not honoring their commitments. It's unfortunate to see something like this happen. Finally, I received a letter from Nyk Edinger explaining how the record label never fulfilled their contract. Incidentally, I've just received a similar letter from GROMS telling how their label, Arctic Serenades, has cheated them out of $5,000 in royalties and is not honoring their contract either. Could this be telling us something? It may be that Satan is doing his best to hinder the work of these two fine bands. We'll be praying for them and hoping that, like Steve Rowe and Mortification, that these two bands will be able to carry on.
Other coverage for this album
Salt #26Reviewed by BooPossession's first release on Metal Merchant Records, Eternally Haunt, has finally revealed the incredible talent these guys have. From beginning to end the intensity is riveting, with lots of time and key changes to keep it interesting. Those of you who have heard Possession in the past will notice some familiar tracks. Not to worry there is plenty of new stuff and the previously released…