Satan. If he did not exist, he would have to be invented, at least for the lyrics and imagery of Heavy Metal. Whereas some say that Satan is just an invention anyway, in order to maintain the rule of the church over the people through fear. Charles Baudelaire once wrote “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist” and I am agnostic myself when it comes to that topic. But what I do not doubt is the fact that “Underneath The Mire” is an excellent Death Metal album. Opening with a riff in memory of early CELTIC FROST, the second album by Finland based MASK OF SATAN is rapidly heading towards Death Metal. A special kind of cruel and roughshod Death Metal. More than once the name of their compatriots CADAVERIC INCUBATOR came to my mind while listening to this album. MASK OF SATAN are playing the similar way. Effective and reduced with some kind of dynamic vigor. Another band which crossed my mind are the masters of groovy Death Grind, namely DEPRESSION from Germany. MASK OF SATAN are definitely far away from those innumerable lame wannabe copycats, just listen to the openings of tracks like ‘Moonless Night (October 31st)’ or ‘Bloodpact’ – that is musicianship at the highest level that any Heavy Metal band would look good on. But do not worry, just as relentlessly as the compass needle points northwards MASK OF SATAN are orientating towards Death Metal, at some moments enriched with slices of Grindcore and swirling MORBID ANGEL riffs. The debut is entitled “Silent Servants: Chants Of Lovecraftian Horror” and with a look at the cover of “Underneath The Mire” the lyrical direction has not been changed and the atmosphere is sinister and creepy. So all in all a more than enjoyable album, for more information visit www.facebook.com/mask-of-satan-1592079117747406 and www.facebook.com/ibdc666