If anyone reading this remembers Pale Creation, it's probably either from the "Dark Empire Strikes Back" compilation in 1994 (their contribution to which was taken from the demo below), or the "Twilight Haunt" CD that East Coast Empire dropped in 1999. Very few, however, have heard their early-90's demo material, and I find those early recordings to be some of the most essential output in the band's history. Years ago I did the Pale Creation website after they reformed for one last jaunt in the late-90's, so I asked former frontman Nick Brewer to provide some history in his own words:
Pale Creation was started by Steve Yanchar, Dennis Malkamaki, and Rick Pfleuger in the early-90's. I was kind of hanging out, beer-guzzling and couch-surfing, when I was appointed 'vocalist'. The four of us were high on Metallica, Corrosion of Conformity, and Coors Extra Gold. We practiced hard and booked time at Mars Recording Studio during the summer of 1992. This was the original Mars Recording Studio—it was torn down after we finished our first sessions with owner/engineer Bill Korecky. I can remember not being old enough to buy alcohol yet, so we were begging bums outside to buy us cheap beer and we'd give them money to buy themselves cigarettes or Mad Dog or whatever they wanted. We released that first demo ourselves as a cassette and sold it out of the trunks of our cars. We didn't have any clue as to how to go about distributing it or selling it, so we took it to local record stores, mailed it to zines, etc. It actually got a favorable review in Maximumrocknroll. We never played a lot of shows with that particular lineup, but we did rock quite a few basements and keg parties. The band was finely tuned and highly under the influence. We had a lot of fun. Then Steve moved away and became a Mormon, and Rick quit and went on to some other bands...
There are definitely portions of the 1992 demo that musically sound dead on like Pale Creation's friends and peers in the earlier incarnations of Integrity, but for the most part it's a scorching blend of crossover thrash metal and metallic hardcore, with killer vocals that sound a lot like Dave Mustaine with more tact. I guess this material kind of sounds like throwing old Megadeth, D.R.I., and classic Integrity in a blender, so I think many will agree with me that this demo totally kills:
1. "Pale Creation"
2. "Misjudgment"
3. "Natural Assassin"
4. "Humanity"
5. "Arlington"
6. "Revolution Mind"
7. "Weeping World"
8. "All Are Defiled"
The band released one more killer demo two years later that was a little heavier (and yet increasedly melodic), which I'll post in the next week or so, along with the second batch of Nick's commentary. Keep an eye out.
I'm totally shocked that no one seemed to be into the Fly Machine tracks at all, but the overwhelming response to the Handsome tunes totally makes up for it and completely blows me away. I can't believe how many times those fuckers have been downloaded or posted around the net. Who would've thought? I figured most interested parties were already familiar with 'em, but damn am I glad that I decided to make that post! That's the entire purpose of this silly little blog, so it's nice to know that sometimes it actually does do some good!
Comments
Thank you, so much for this gem.
I just dusted off my Dark Empire Strikes Back CD the other day, and these guys by far had one of the standout tracks…
8.7.2005 | By Anonymous
Pale Creation were an amazing group. They were an important part of the Cleveland “holy terror” movement, and I am proud to say that they appeared on my old labels compilation cd, Dark Empire Strikes Back. Their contribution, ‘Natural Assassin’ is superb and Nicks unique vocals are clearly “Cleveland”, and at the same time they are refreshing and original.
Andrew, I look forward to your future posts of the Pale Creation demos, this is a rare Cleveland band that needs to be heard. Pale Creation were ahead of their time when they existed and did not receive the recognition that they clearly deserved.
Nick has been one of my best friends and I absolutely back all his creative work. Nick is also one of the founding fathers of the Post-Usualist Movement.
I hope everyone enjoys this demo as much as I do. Thanks for sharing these songs with the world.
-dwid hellion
8.8.2005 | By Dwid Hellion
Im totally into this demo. Great sound hopfuly this blog will get it out to some more people. By the way Nick this is Matt I came to the Integrity show this past Easter hung out with you a bit, I was the dude from Houston. Anyways awesome stuff dude
-Matt
8.8.2005 | By Matt
This is an incredible demo. The recording quality blows me away and I can’t believe I’ve not heard it until now. Might sound bizzare but I hear elements of bands like burn and beyond at some points. The vocals surprised me in how “clean” they were while still coming off as harsh. awesome. can’t wait to hear the rest of this bands output. -shaun
8.8.2005 | By shaunxcore
great band
8.9.2005 | By Brian
Oh yeah, this is great shit. And it feeds my total adoration of demo tapes to boot… Looking forward to that second demo when you post it, definitely.
8.10.2005 | By Scott
something about this makes me think of Beyond. maybe in the vocals? i dunno -jannes
8.15.2005 | By Anonymous
Call the cops the music is to loud.
Nicks ( Dad) You cant dance to it.
Get out of my garage
11.17.2005 | By Anonymous
I also just dusted off my Dark Empire Strikes Back CD and was enjoying it so much I just had to search online for it. Lo and behold a whole blog full of people who listen to the same music I do.
4.24.2006 | By Martijn