Proscriptor McGovern is a name that almost everyone is familiar with and before ABSU, there was MAGUS! MAGUS was a soul chilling, spine crushing Death Metal band that easily occupies the throne alongside WINTER and DISEMBOWELMENT. In fact, this compilation “Ruminations Of Debauchery” features the original EP “Ruminations Of Debauchery” and the live rendition of their first demo “Lines That Formed Hexagrams”, both from 1992, and well that is right in between “Into Darkness” and “Transcendence Into The Peripheral”, which isn’t surprising at all. The opener ‘Debauchery’ is sufficient proof that MAGUS are absolutely eerie, whilst dripping with a menacing atmosphere that will immediately strike a chord with fans of 90s Death / Doom. The riffs feel like a slow swamp monster, dragging its feet across a monolith of nothingness. This track is an absolute stunner right from start to the finish. It sets up the mood for the rest of the release. I certainly wish MAGUS released a full length, they would’ve certainly got their due instead of being referred to as the earlier avatar of ABSU. Anyway, I need to talk about track #3 ‘Rumination (…Of Nature)’ which is another highlight on this release. The band goes completely berserk, the guitar shrieks of pain that’s been gathered from eons, the drumming is perfect, tempo honoured yet methodic and piercing the guitars to add in further depth, this is absolutely brilliant song writing! Yes, this is from 1992, didn’t everything have to sound like this? Well MAGUS clearly drew their inspiration from the depths of distortion hell and added to it a cloud of horror! Fans of early 90s Death Metal must not miss this reissue. The live rendition of their first demo is quite well done too. All in all MAGUS displays a sense of urgency coupled with patience to engulf your senses completely in their message. This release is limited to 513 hand numbered copies and comes in a noble digibook. Do get a copy, highly recommended! For more information please visit www.facebook.com/thedevilselixirsrecords