Reviewed by Greg Sammons

Texas-based Pale Horse has been going since the early '90s, but only now have they got the label deal (Bombworks) they needed to record a full album. However, this first album is simply a collection of three of their demos from the early '90s and serves as the taster for their upcoming 2006 release, which I hope and assume will all be new material. Their style of music sounds typical enough of the doom scene of the early '90s (but with nods to death and thrash) without sounding too dated, which is an achievement in itself. It reminds me of the earlier manifestation of Mortification or perhaps even our British thrash legends, Seventh Angel. In fact why they didn't get signed back in their heyday is not clear, as they could have competed with the best the Christian scene could offer. "Persecution" has a superb intro and would have perhaps worked best as the album's opener, it gives us one of the best indicators also of the vocal capabilities as well as just how capable their guitarist is of chucking in a monster riff alongside some commendable shredding. The band seem to be at home at any speed they attempt, whilst lyrically they handle some deep subject matter and the sincerity in the guttural vocals are layered with such intensity you feel the honesty in what he sings. This is a great indicator of just how great this band were at one point; can they produce the goods on their new album?

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