DANCES OF DEATH (AND OTHER WALKING SHADOWS)

The early releases from MEKONG DELTA were quite enigmatic, the identities of the band members were kept secret and they played a very mysterious dark kind of technical thrash metal unlike much else that was around at the time and on top of that they adapted works from Russian composer Modest Mussorgski with thrash instrumentation creating a unique brand of music that has yet to be paralleled although their albums left a lot to be desired and reeked of potential that was yet to be fully realised. Here on Dances of Death we see in part a realisation of that potential with some cohesive and varied songwriting.

Things start off on a real high with one of the first and only tech-thrash epics, the title track clocks in at nearly 20 minutes and is a very challenging yet rewarding listen, packed full of great riffs and intensity, it doesn't let up until the end with angular riffs, double kick and syncopation pummeling the listener. 'Transgressor' and 'True Believer' are more standard tunes from the band (if there is such a thing) but both exude an almost psychedelic quality very rare in metal. The real gem on the crown of this album is the arrangement of Mussorgski's 'Night on Bear Mountain' which is an amazing adaptation into the thrash metal format with surprising dynamics and amazing instrumentation featuring a completely bitchin' solo and a soothing a fitting acoustic guitar outro.

This is fairly essential listening for any thrash fan particularly given the rarity of thrash epics (off hand I can't even think of one besides Dances of Death let alone one of such quality). Fans of CORONER, WATCHTOWER and early VOIVOD will certainly find something to enjoy here.

Share this MEKONG DELTA review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to FruMp
• Report this review (#145689)
• Buy MEKONG DELTA music online with PA partners
• Show all MEKONG DELTA MP3/Stream
• Go to MEKONG DELTA page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Dances Of Death (And Other Walking Shadows) page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for MEKONG DELTA related discussions