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Xasthur’s A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors demo, technically Malefic’s first full-length, has been re-released numerous times, most recently by Hydra Head. Now that Xasthur is generating some buzz, it’s interesting to see his roots. Though his later works show a better sense of what Malefic wants to achieve, Mirrors establishes the foundation for the Xasthur sound.

“Moon Shrouded in Mystery Part 1,” the album’s leadoff track, gives the listener a clear idea of what Mirrors represents, as most songs stick to this blueprint. This demo is odd in that it contains some of the most aggressive – in a traditional metal sense - tracks Xasthur has put on tape. It still features – as all of Xathur’s songs do – a guitar tone awash in lo-fi bleakness. Double bass may be common in most metal, but rarely does it make an appearance in Xasthur’s suicidal black psychedelica. “Kingdom of Burning Crucifixions” is the closest Malefic will ever come to a more traditional metal song. Most of the tracks on Mirrors do have a steady fast beat, whereas Xasthur would opt for a dronier approach later on. Some purists complain that Xathur is too “rockish,” but the drum programming on here only slightly suggests any rock influence, and it’s so deep it’s impossible to toe-tap. He would eventually forge a different path, but on Mirrors, he seems to follow Burzum and Mutiilation, both of which he shadows a little too closely.

While not great by any means, A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors is a worthy look into the growth of a near-icon.

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Reviewer: Andy O'Connor Added: March 17th 2008