MORTEM Demon Tales CD

From the abyss of the Peruvian underground comes one of the most legendary and influential strikes of South American terror. Originally unleashed in 1995, Demon Tales by Mortem stands as a definitive pillars of Death Metal, and this 2021 reissue by the cult German label Merciless Records is a mandatory acquisition for those who worship at the altar of raw, sinister, and blackened extremity. The ritual begins with the haunting invocation of Daemonium Vobiscum, immediately establishing Mortem’s signature sound: a lethal combination of frantic, thrash-infused riffs, cavernous vocals, and a terrifyingly dark atmosphere. The band excels at a style of death metal that feels truly possessed; tracks like End of the Christian Era and the sprawling title track A Demon Tale showcase a group that prioritizes eerie, morbid melodies over modern, sterile production. The guitars are sharp and jagged, reminiscent of the early days of Possessed and Slayer, but with a uniquely Peruvian sense of occult dread. As the record moves through the rhythmic violence of Satan II and the atmospheric weight of Unguy Maman, the band’s mastery of the genre is undeniable. From the high-speed assault of Vomit of the Earth to the crushing energy of Unearth the Buried Evil, the intensity never wavers. The experience reaches its blasphemous peak with Demonolatry and Blackened Arts, before concluding with the final, bone-chilling descent of Tormented by the Undead. This is death metal in its purest, most ancient form—unpolished, violent, and deeply steeped in the dark arts. This CD is a mandatory acquisition for fans of Morbid Angel (Altars of Madness era), Sarcófago, Sadistic Intent, and Pentagram (Chile). If you seek an album that defines the scorched-earth spirit of South American extreme metal, Demon Tales is an essential and unholy masterpiece for your collection.