Pestilence, one of the best thrash / death metal bands, The Netherlands ever had, in it is musical history. Pestilence, the band that on each album sounded so different compared with its predecessor. Pestilence, the band that started as a thrash band, developed into death metal and ended as a highly technical fusion-sounding band. Pestilence, the band that wrote “Consuming Impulse”, the best Dutch death metal album so far, according to my opinion. Pestilence, the band of Martin van Drunen, who later on did vocal duties for Asphyx, Bolt Thrower and Comecon. Pestilence, a band I wished was still active, for its musical geniality.

 

For those who did not had the chance in the past to experience Pestilence live, Metal War Productions has released this “Chronicles Of The Scourge”. This live CD is a very good example of how Pestilence sounded at the end of the eighties; a Dutch windmill that has to provide all the electricity for the Grolsch beer brewery.
The first 10 tracks are recorded in June 1989 and contain songs from “Malleus Maleficarum” and “Consuming Impulse”. The highlight of this set are the tracks “Chemotherapy”, “Echoes Of Death” and “Subordinate To The Domination”, this last one for its great sounding guitar intro.
Tracks 11-18 are from a gig in Bochum, Germany, recorded in November 1988. The set list contained only songs from “Malleus Maleficarum”. It is so amazing to hear the difference and the musical development of this band of just half a year. This recording is breathing thrash metal: thrash sounding guitar, thrash bass and thrash drums. Martin’s voice is sounding like a dark thrash singer and not the death metal voice that made him so popular. And even though Martin’s voice is more suitable for death metal, this is sounding damned fine.

 

After all, this is a honourable live tribute to the best death metal band The Netherlands ever had. If you want to relive this time or you want to know where these old guys are talking about, try to get a copy of this great live album. You will get an unforgettable death and thrash experience from the Netherlands that will never take place again.