Agony (Agoni) - Execution of Mankind (1986)

Agony (Post-Agoni) - Execution of Mankind Demo (1986)

Whenever the early demo tracks surfaced, which showed Agoni in full raging D-Beat mode and the transition into thrash merchants in 1985 with The Future is Ours, it took until 1986 for them to unleash this: Execution of Mankind

From the limited knowledge available, I assume this is the same line-up. Like I said on my previous posts, due to my bias, I think the early demo is the best thing Agoni ever released. However, their thrash work is still very good. The only problem is the lack of identity. Better than standard thrash, but it's obviously Exodus worship going on here; you can definitely tell that Bonded by Blood had crossed the water by this point (just listen to them fucking vocals). And that's the issue here. This is some cool thrash, but it doesn't blow me away. It doesn't set them apart from their puffy-sneakered constituents.While the early demo was, admittedly, generic for what it was. At least they were one in a few actually playing in that style at that time. As such, despite not being overly original, they leave a lasting impression.

That very criteria: Swedish, punk/d-beat, early 80s. Makes them so much more interesting. As opposed to: Swedish, thrash metal, mid-late 80s. I mean, how many thrash bands were there in the late 80s anyway? Answer: a lot, as record labels could capitalize on the success of the big four and the pretentious wankers who want something more underground, bruh!

Sure, they've gotten better at their instruments. There is more content here; longer songs, guitar harmonies, solos, progressive-tinted song structures, tempo shifts, et all. But It doesn't 'wow' me.

Two tracks here, Deady Legacy, and Execution of Mankind appear on their only LP The First Defiance and Bribed is a re-work from their previous demo The Future is Ours

Overall, a decent demo. But Agoni were forever cursed with being mediocre when they changed their style, and later name, to the metal side. Shame.

Linky, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!4AIVzbhb!mWspbQu3w_tzRXNR6h4S-qGd_NzmZIhgS7oKy5UmpQk