DEMONIC MANIFESTATION - Grimshrine

Even before the first note, the artwork of "Grimshrine" sets the mood perfectly. With its haunted graveyard, grotesque creatures and striking blue and orange tones, the cover feels like something pulled straight from an old-school horror movie or forgotten VHS tape. Colourful, sinister and wonderfully over-the-top, it immediately fits DEMONIC MANIFESTATION's affection for horror and '90s death metal.

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'Cult of Dominion' starts strong with raw yet melodic drumming and some finely distorted riffs, already bringing that unmistakable '90s death metal spirit to the surface. After the more melodic introduction, the pace picks up considerably as faster drums take control and dark, brooding growls enter the picture. At times, the composition feels slightly long-winded, but its old-school character remains convincing throughout. The track ultimately saves its strongest moments for the final stretch, where a demanding rhythm section and particularly sinister vocal performance bring everything together.

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'Host' immediately stands out with fast, relentless drumming and an undeniable influence from DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED. Yet DEMONIC MANIFESTATION never feels like a mere copy, with creative riffing giving the track plenty of character and constantly keeping you on edge. The combination of primal aggression and tight musicianship works particularly well, while skillfully placed solos add another dimension to the brutality. A strong example of how to embrace the old school without simply recreating it. 

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'Ninth Flame Oath' raises the pace even further, with drums raining down in a deadly cascade of crushing cymbals, accompanied by a powerful yet melodic riff and a subtle bass line. In contrast, the reverb-soaked vocals move at a slower pace, delivering every growl with fear-inducing intensity and purpose. The sheer energy makes this one I would love to experience live. Towards the end, demonic sounds and eerie vocal passages unexpectedly creep into the composition, giving the track one final sinister touch before it fades.

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'Spheres of Death' perfectly demonstrates how the transitions between classic Swedish d-beats and traditional death metal rhythms fuel the album with momentum without relying on constant blast beats. The opening in particular pushes the composition forward with tremendous force, backed by equally strong guitar work. Above it all, the vocals hang like an oppressive shadow, adding another layer of darkness to the attack. As the song progresses, the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister until, without warning, everything simply stops, an abrupt ending that catches you completely off guard. 

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'The Evil Lurks' guides us towards the end of the album with perhaps the most aggressive and intense showcase of DEMONIC MANIFESTATION's skills and songwriting. A creative yet filthy-sounding backbone gives the composition its character, surrounded by threatening, primal vocals and thunderous drumming. It brings together much of what makes this style of death metal so effective without losing the band's own identity. If I had to choose one track to introduce someone to DEMONIC MANIFESTATION, this would probably be it, a song that combines nearly all of their strengths in one relentless package.

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'The Horror' brings the album to an appropriately unsettling end, carrying a hell of a groove from the start. Slow, brooding drums and a thick bass line create an almost trance-like pull, while guttural screams seem to creep directly into your mind. Blast beats inevitably return as the track unfolds, but enough rhythmic and musical diversity keeps the composition from becoming predictable. For me, the second half of the album is ultimately the stronger one, and 'The Horror' reinforces exactly why. It leaves you with a lingering sense of fear and uncertainty, a fitting final nightmare for DEMONIC MANIFESTATION.

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"Grimshrine" sees DEMONIC MANIFESTATION embrace the filthy spirit of old-school death metal without becoming trapped by their influences. Creative riffs, thunderous drumming and sinister vocals drive the record forward, while a particularly strong second half brings out the band’s best songwriting. Not every passage hits with the same force, but when Grimshrine strikes, it does so with plenty of groove, character and brutality.

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SCORE 8/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY