PESTILENCE to re-release remastered Classic early-Era albums

Newly remastered versions of classic PESTILENCE albums from the 80’s and 90’s are coming to an ample variety of physical formats on June 30th and to streaming platforms from February 24th. The Dutch progressive/technical death metal pioneers will have them re-issued on Agonia Records, who previously released the band’s last album, “Exitivm” (2021).

The re-release pertains to first four PESTILENCE albums, that had been remastered from scratch at Satanic Audio (Behemoth, Azarath) to significantly improve on overall sound quality, by engaging present-day studio equipment.

The album selection was influenced by the idea to provide a looking glass into the early days of death metal (as far as PESTILENCE’s input is concerned) and into the dawning of a legendary group, who was essential in crafting and expanding technical death metal, alongside Death, Atheist and Cynic.

A new listening experience will entail:

1. “Malleus Maleficarum” (1988) – a monument of early-day death metal heavily mixed with thrash, whose release precedes Death’s “Leprosy” by a month. Debut album with Martin van Drunen (Apshyx) on vocals.

2. “Consuming Impulse” (1989) – the beginning of all things great for PESTILENCE. Introduced into Decibel Magazine’s hall of fame in 2013, the album marked a shift to heavier, more haunting and then-buzzing death metal. It also boosted PESTILENCE into international recognition and placed them at the forefront of the scene of the time with Death, Obituary, Sepultura and Morbid Angel.

3. “Testimony of the Ancients” (1991) – first album to assume Patrick Mameli’s double role (guitarist/vocalist) and first to establish a trademark ingredient of PESTILENCE’s core sound formula. Recorded at the legendary Morrissound Studios (USA) and regarded as a progressive death metal classic.

4. “Spheres” (1993) – the album broke the mold at a time the metal scene wasn’t ready to appreciate its uniqueness or recognize its future impact. Underestimated at first, the bold conjunction of jazz fusion and progressive/technical death metal had eventually been lauded as a move ahead of its time, and had influenced a lot of bands, including Gorguts, Necrophaigst and Obscura.

For tracklisting go to www.pestilence.store/fatal-rereleases (bottom of the page).

Formats:
– Jewelcase CD
– Tape
– Black LP
– Limited LP (11 different patterns)
– Digital

Clothing:
– T-shirt and zipped hoodie

2023 line-up:
Patrizio Mameli – vocals, lead guitars
Rvtger van Noordenbvrg – lead guitars
Joost van der Graaf – bass
Michiel van der Plicht – drvms

Photo credit: Marc van Peski
PESTILENCE – Morbvs Propagationem (Official Music Video)
Pre-orders:
http://pestilence.store/fatal-rereleases/

PESTILENCE on-line:
Website: http://www.pestilence.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pestilenceofficial

Agonia Records:
Website: https://agoniarecords.com

And by the way… We invite you for archival interview with PESTILENCE