Crematory: Denial (1992)

This is the second band named "Crematory" in my collection, joining "Sabbat" and "Solstice" as names for which there are multiple groups represented.  But there is a difference.  Whereas with "Sabbat" and "Solstice", picking a favorite band between the two can be a toss-up, I have a very clear favorite band named "Crematory".  It is this one.

The other Crematory is a German gothic metal band, but this one is pure old-school Swedish death metal.  We are talking the Stockholm scene in the early 1990's when bands like Entombed, Dismember and Grave were dominant.  And Crematory's sound fit in quite well with those groups.  Featuring a sound that combines the Swedish scene of the day with groups like Napalm Death and Slayer, this is a lively, energetic release.  The riffs are bound to result in head-banging and the solos absolutely shred.  The vocals are gruff, but not ridiculously so.  This is an almost perfect example of Swedish death. 

The only downside to this release is that it is too damn short.  This is only a four-song EP.  And unfortunately, there is not much else that the band has ever released.  There are a few other demos, but no full-length.  There is a compilation collecting most of the band's material together under the same name and cover as this EP.  And that's it.

Members of Crematory would later emerge in groups like Regurgitate and General Surgery.  Unfortunately neither group had a sound quite like this.  And so, this is the only real great release we have from this Crematory, but it is still better than the German gothic metal band.