Vermin - Alea Iacta Est (Demo)
Self-financed

Michiel B.: I'm really glad to see the metal scene in my native area (West-Brabant, NL for whoever knows where that is) still flourishes lately. A few months ago the Breda death/grinders of Brutus (nowadays signed by Unique Leader) surprised me with their promo CD and now it's Etten-Leur/Breda based Vermin who get my blood run faster.

The main man behind is Ron 'Ronhead' Vermunt who has put all his creativity in Vermin after his former band (the thrashers of The Mess Age) fell apart. Together with guitarist Rom (ex-Lost Sacrament, Empty and Textures), drummer Pascal (ex-The Mess Age and Ecplise), bassist Jeroen and vocalist Thomas 3 extremely brutal US-style death metal tracks are blowing my speakers. Hell! For a short moments desires of banging my hand and slamming my arms take control over me. Drums reminding me of Hate Eternal, guitar playing obviously inspired by Meshuggah and Dillenger Escape Plan with a slice of Nile here and there and brutal vocals with a good blending of scream as well as death grunts.

Of course there are some comments as well because to play this album at it's best I have to turn up the treble switch on my equalisers a few degrees. Also a few guitar solos don't sound perfect. Maybe a good thing to pay some attention to these points at the next recordings. The band has recorded this 3 track-demo themselves and also the cover is self-made. To order your copy (only 5 Euros) just send an e-mail to ronhead@wanadoo.nl for more information. Ron has already assured me that more new material is on it's way so we'll be waiting for that..

Judge M.'s verdict: 85/100

ronhead@wanadoo.nl