The ever impressive Vic Records are back with yet another repress and this time we have Florida residents EQUINOX and their full length “Return To Mystery”. The booklet of this edition contains extensive liner notes from Olivier “Zoltar” Badin and many rare and old pictures, flyers, posters and is complete with a new cover artwork. The album is completely remastered plus as bonus the 1995 “Upon The Throne Of Eternity” EP, Live in Orlando 1993 and “The Anthem To The Moon” demo 1993. 18 tracks in total. When we often think of Tampa, we think of MONSTROSITY and CANNIBAL CORPSE or well, Morrisound Studios. Needless to say, this record was originally mixed at Morrisound Studios, so you already know the sound you can expect on this release. This is quintessential ’90s Florida Death Metal and EQUINOX add in brilliant melodic solos to accentuate the heaviness of their entire sound. This should be gobbled up by any regular Death Metal fan. The vocals dance on the edges of Death and Black Metal. The riffs are slow, thick and sludgy. The drumming is perfect with no gimmicks anywhere. EQUINOX subscribe to the traditional approach to Death Metal and they do it with no deviations. It is a pleasure to listen to this today and frankly there isn’t anything wrong with what they do. Time has been kinder than usual to EQUINOX and “Return To Mystery” still holds up to the modern day standards. My only point of contention are the Black Metal’ish vocals, I would’ve really enjoyed traditional Death Metal growls, but using them would’ve meant that the band could be virtually indistinguishable from the others in the Florida scene. The band adds in synth in places (Track # 3: ‘Until The Dawn’s Mist’), which is phenomenal where the band puts all their energies together. This partly takes me to NOCTURNUS, as soon as the synth section is over, I could swear Mike Browning is drumming, so that tells you how well every single aspect of the music is put together. I really enjoyed this release. Recommended! For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/equinoxfl, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063485232579