Therion | Beyond The Darkest Veil Of Time | Hammerheart Records

 Therion began in 1987 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, under the vision of Christofer Johnsson. Initially forged in the fires of death metal’s rawest incarnation, the band would later pivot into the grand theatricality of symphonic metal, becoming one of its founding names. The word “Therion” was taken from “To Mega Therion”, the seminal album by Celtic Frost, and reflects the band’s early inspiration from the underground extremes. By the mid-'90s, Therion had transformed into something unrecognizable from its primitive roots. But before choirs and orchestras came grimy rehearsal rooms, distorted demo tapes, and a handful of violent, subterranean recordings. These roots—previously scattered across bootlegs and unofficial fan tapes—are now officially compiled and remastered in “Beyond The Darkest Veil Of Time”, a release that strips the band down to its earliest, most primal form.

“Beyond The Darkest Veil Of Time” is a definitive archival collection that documents Therion’s first years when they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the most ferocious acts of the European underground. This is not a reinterpretation but a preserved excavation—brutally unvarnished, hostile, and full of juvenile extremity. Sourced from early demo sessions and the seminal “Time Shall Tell” mini-LP (for the CD version), this release is a raw showcase of what the band was long before keyboards and choirs entered the picture.

The music across these twelve tracks is hostile and erratic, shaped by the chaos of youthful aggression and the influence of pioneers like Death, Morbid Angel, and Celtic Frost. There is no refinement, only the unapologetic fury of early Scandinavian death metal. The riffs are jagged and vicious, delivered with frantic momentum. Vocals are guttural, closer to a cavernous bellow than any later operatic ambition. Drumming is erratic, aggressive, and often on the verge of collapse. This chaotic structure isn’t a flaw—it is exactly what makes these recordings so vital to the history of the genre.

The inclusion of two previously unreleased tracks taken from the “Paroxysmal Holocaust” and “Beyond The Darkest Veils Of Inner Wickedness” demos gives this release archival value beyond nostalgia. The rawness is preserved, but thanks to modern remastering, the audio has been restored with clarity while retaining its original filth. Erwin Hermsen at Toneshed Studio has done a respectful job—enhancing the sonic weight without stripping away the abrasive nature.

The CD version, which includes the “Time Shall Tell” material, delivers a more complete experience of the band’s early sound. The decision to exclude it from the vinyl edition is clearly tied to its prior standalone availability, but for newcomers, the CD remains the superior historical artifact.

The packaging adds further depth. A thick booklet containing old photos and a detailed interview with Johnsson sheds light on the context and mindset of these recordings. The band’s association with the original Sunlight Studio, under the hand of a young Tomas Skogsberg, places them firmly within the narrative of Stockholm death metal’s formative era.

There is no reinvention here—this is not about stylistic evolution or ambitious reinterpretation. It is about chaos, violence, and the youthful urge to push sonic boundaries with primitive tools. For those who only know Therion for their symphonic epics, this release may be jarring. But for anyone tracing the genealogy of European death metal, “Beyond The Darkest Veil Of Time” is not only valuable—it is essential.

Score: 8.0