ASPHYXIUM ZINE

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Demo Review: Maze Of Terror "Death Worshipers" (Empire Records) by Dave Wolff

Band: Maze Of Terror
Location: Lima
Country: Peru
Genre: Thrash metal
Format: Digital, streaming
Label: Empire Records
Release date: September 13, 2019
Since 2012 Maze Of Terror has released a series of EPs and splits, plus a full length “Ready to Kill” which was released by Empire Records in 2016. Their demo “Death Worshipers” should impress their production and songwriting abilities upon labels. There’s quality sound and every instrument can be distinctly heard, especially bass tracks that are mixed and mastered just enough to accentuate the guitars. Both of those are well represented with sufficient depth to immerse the listener, and the vocals are mixed with some atmosphere to sharpen and give the material more bottom. The drum tracks could have been given similar treatment and could have been turned down in the final mix, but this doesn’t distract from the songs too much. I listened to some of the band’s back catalog on Bandcamp (2018’s “Evoked Black Souls”, 2017’s “Death for Our Rivals”, 2016’s “Ready to Kill” and 2012’s “Skullcrusher”) and their sound quality is something they didn’t take lightly. Guitarists Razor and Criminal Mind are given unfettered room to advertise the resourceful license while Leviathan and Hammer display their tightness as a rhythm section. Their music is a contemporary interpretation of old school thrash and early death metal, something like Slayer crossed with Deicide with the energy of early Sodom and Kreator and hints of South American death metal. Musicians who know what they’re doing can make all this a lethal combination. It's clear Maze Of Terror have a high regard for marshaling sheer frenzy in their songs. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:
Leviathan: Bass, vocals
Criminal Mind: Guitars
Razor: Guitars
Hammer: Drums

Track list:
1. Incubus
2. Force of Hell
3. Death Worshipers
4. Kill the Cop

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