Gorefest – Erase

Label – Nuclear Blast

Year Of Release – 1994

The framework was still death metal in that the vocals of De Koeyer were rough death metal growls and the music retained some of the death metal but the band added influences from classic 80s heavy metal and groovy thrash to come up with a mix that was and still is quite unique. The band had, in the time between False and Erase gone out on tour quite a bit and also released a live album “The Eindhoven Insanity” on Nuclear Blast.

The album starts with the superb Seeds Of Hate where a chugging thrash riff melds beautifully with melodic guitar parts and death metal riffs. This is followed by the mid paced rumble of Goddess In Black. Here the band go moody and atmospheric pursuing a sound that’s almost doom metal but not all the way there before taking off on a guitar lead that’s pure 80s in its execution. “Peace Of Paper” is probably the most aggressive song on the album and is a welcome return to the bands death metal roots. The band are on top form through out the album with De Koeyer and drummer Ed Warby holding up a super tight rhythm section and allowing the guitarists to play some massive grooves through out the album.

When I first heard this album around 1996 or so, I hated it. It was only when re-visiting this album a few years ago that I actually got it. The Gorefest sound on Erase has become quite influential and a number of bands from Europe have been inspired by it.

“False” may appeal more to the normal extreme music fan but Erase is my favourite release from this long running band. However, it is an album that will grow on the listener with each successive hearing.