24 Feb 2016

Sapanakith: "Promo/Demo 2011"


Small band with something to prove
In recent times south eastern Asia has become a new haven for brutal death metal and slam bands. Indonesia, as an example, has 1271 metal bands according to Metal Archives. 280, or about 22 percent, of those are some variation of brutal death metal. Wedged between Vietnam, Thailand and others lies Laos, a small country of about 7 million in population. Laos, however, isn't exactly overpopulated by metal bands. Again according to Metal Archives, the small country has had only 4 metal bands. One of those bands is the three-piece known as Sapanakith.

"Completing the recipe with chugging riffs, gurgled vocals, saucepan snares and blast beats, all that's left to differentiate and impress is the songwriting itself."

Enough with the lesson in geography. As far as brutal death metal demos go, Sapanakith's debut follows the norm that it's better to have a few good songs than a lot of filler. Extending into the songwriting deparment, the promo-demo has a strong and simple setup of vocals/drums/guitars with the same all-in-one bargain that you'd expect. Completing the recipe with chugging riffs, gurgled vocals, saucepan snares and blast beats, all that's left to differentiate and impress is the songwriting itself. With their Disgorge cover song and two original tracks Sapanakith have found a suitable standing point that balances all the obligatory elements adequately. 

There's not much room for experimentation or... Well, anything, really, on this short release. Just as you're getting into it, bopping your head a bit in time with the slams, the release is over. But there's something about it that makes you replay it again and again. Their flow and timing is impeccable, but since brutal death metal is by nature a brief affaire, the good stuff is over before you know it, leaving you wanting more.

With a release this short there's little to talk about. The 2011 promo/demo leaves you thinking Sapanakith hasn't really had time to prove themselves, but what little taste you got served as a tease. It's straight forward, but the band's music has flavour. Considering Lao sound engineers probably don't have too much experience mixing super brutal death metal, Sapanakith has achieved a great sound, and that counts for a lot as well. But I am left with some major death metal blue balls.

7/10


Released in 2011 independently

Links
Sapanakith on FACEBOOK

Follow TONEwood on Facebook for daily updates!


What did you think of Sapanakith's "Promo/Demo 2011"?

No comments:

Post a Comment