DREAM II

The first thing i have to say about this EP is that i like it's anguished, tormented cover. Pan.Thy.Monium had always a thing for clocks, all their albums have the clock motif, i believe it's related to their concept story presented on their albums. This is an early recording of the band, featuring Dan Swano on bass guitar, and another Edge Of Sanity member, drummer Benny Larsson.

Actually i can't believe this is the same band who released three magnificent albums in the next 5 years, but then again a band has to start somewhere. Their music at the begining was nothing more than your usual death metal songs, i would have never guessed they would take such a giant leap to release their superb first full lenth album only the next year, an album with clear experimental writing, and a very mature approach. The band sticks with the usual instrumentation, no great solos (or solos at all), and no saxophone just yet. Keys are added, but still doesn't have such a good effect. The songs are really not bad, they are just quite simple, and not impressive. The music is based on the heavy riffing, and when those are mediocre, than there isn't much left to save this release. The band does work as a whole though, and plays a coherent death metal, but not more than this. This would appeal more to fans of the underground swedish death metal scene, or fans of the extreme metal without the progy influences. The sound is actually quite good for an obscure EP and The CD reissue offers a bonus track, which is cool. I really like this band, but i don't have any desire to listen to this again, i suggest to go for their debut. 2 stars, for collectors only!