Brazil’s, Marquee Records, is one of the elite labels dealing with reissues. Owner, Armanda Pereira, knows the love and respect needed for a true reissue. With that being said I will say Austria’s Miasma were kind of a one hit wonder releasing an obscure album in 1992 on Lethal Records. For some reason the record stores in NY never carried this album. The reviews of this obscure act were positive, I loved the logo/album cover and never had the album. Several years ago I finally heard Changes on YouTube. Needless to say I was blown away and pissed it took me so long to hear this outstanding album.

Miasma had a sound Similar to Deicide’s Legion, with a heavier guitar tone and dirtier production. Some more Floridian influence ala Brutality with how the blast beats were constructed and performed that leaned towards brutal thrash, at times.  Some European influences and early Autopsy doomy moments kick in at various points.  Some South American influence too, especially on the song “Schizophrenia?”,  Sarcófago comes to mind.  The vocals were what separated Miasma from the pack!  Gerhard’s vocals were quite guttural and ultra-low. He threw in some higher screeches and at times the band had some ever so slight black metal melodies. Average song length was about 5-6 minutes.  “Melting of Imagining Existence” is important to point out for its plodding doomy brutal heaviness. This song slays from beginning to end and it’s true heaviness, no fake ass b.s.  Album opener, “Baphomet”, is delightfully evil. Fast, furious and the vocals are just insanely brutal.  Miasma created ultra-memorable and catchy songs, which made the songs even more brutal.

A mere later after Changes was unleashed Miasma released the 3 song ep, Love Songs. Containing the 9 minute title track, instrumental and a live song. The title track was a continuation of their sound, with more elements of evil thrown in and experimentation. They released an obscure demo 2 years later and disbanded. They reformed in like 2007/2008 to play some shows and then disbanded again.

Marquee Records has done an exceptional job with this tri-fold digipak. The Changes album cover adorns the front perfectly. Included in the panels is also the Love Songs  album cover restored. The digipak is excellently made, not cheap/slimline. It’s thick matted and is beautiful.  Vintage photos are in the panels and a great booklet equipped with lyrics.  There is a little bio that was educational and what the members are up to now. Sidney Sohn has done an excellent remastering of all the material. It’s loud, retaining the brutal underground heaviness of this lost gem of a band. I am thrilled to have this in my collection, many thanks Armando, my friend!  Changes is a monster of an album which if released on another label in 1992 would have made this more available. It was impossible to find. This is now elevated, for me, as one of the most impressive, brutal and crushing albums of 1992. If you have never heard these guys, buy this immediately.  This reissue is perfect, masterful and gives Miasma the proper respect both these releases deserve. Over 2 decades old Changes destroys most death metal albums today and has not aged at all. Outstanding reissue, once again Marquee Records.

 

 

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