Simulacra - Towards Rapture? (2000)

This demo from a Greek band was supposed to be technical thrash metal. Not quite. It kind of reminds me in style of Pax Mortis' 1992 demo -- it's melodic thrash with some progressive elements, but nothing that really stands out. It's almost like a tech/prog thrash band put together an album with all of the technical parts removed. It sounds like any minute it's going to take another step up in the technicality or progressiveness, but it never does. The vocals here are terrible -- they're mostly atonal shouts with a hint of scream and don't really add anything to the music. For this type of music, a more dynamic vocal approach is necessary. Ultimately, this demo would be decent for the early 90's, but being released in 2000 drags my opinion of it down. Moreover, it hasn't aged very well (though nor has Pax Mortis).