Century Media Records put out a salacious selection of EDGE OF SANITY’s obscure, earliest recordings on 2 LP and a limited 2 CD release. “Elegy – Chapter I” takes EDGE OF SANITY’s early, underground demos and gives them new life with remastering and remixes that capture the raw energy and intensity of their beginnings. It dives into a time when EDGE OF SANITY were still finding their footing, creating music that would eventually help form the Swedish Death Metal scene. This collection puts together a number of early demos, including “Euthanasia” (1989), “Kur-Nu-Gi-A” (1990), “The Dead” (1990), “The Immortal Rehearsals” (1990) and “Dead But Dreaming” (1992). These demos are rough and powerful, showcasing the band at their most passionate era perhaps. The raw aggression and atmosphere are present and the music still carries that drive that EDGE OF SANITY would go on to master in later releases. Dan Swanö, who’s been with the band from the start, remastered and even remixed some of these tracks, giving them a fresh coat of polish while making sure they still preserve their original enchantment. The remixes help to bring out the layers in the music that were probably lost in the original recordings, and the remastering adds a clarity that gives these demos a new echo. Even though the sound is maybe more refined, there’s still that perfect chaos and intensity that comes through loud and clear. The artwork by Mark Rudolph suits the vibe of the release perfectly, a dark, moody and reflective of the era when these tracks were originally recorded. It adds to the feeling that you’re digging through old stuff from the early days of a band that would go on to influence so much of what came after. Listening to “Elegy – Chapter I” is like stepping back in time, hearing EDGE OF SANITY at a point when they were just beginning to build out their sound. The demos might not be as polished as their later work, but there’s a feeling here that stands the test of time. “Elegy – Chapter I” reflects how important the band’s early days were and how that raw energy would help to foresee the future of Death Metal. I’ll say that this compilation is not about nostalgia; it’s about understanding where it all started and seeing how EDGE OF SANITY’s sound evolved into something legendary. “Elegy – Chapter I” is a perfect picture at the roots of the band and the genre and something truly important to stay in touch with. More info here: www.facebook.com/centurymedia