Description

Sarasota, Florida's technical death thrash metal outfit Atheist started out life originally titled R.A.V.A.G.E. (standing for Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End). R.A.V.A.G.E. recorded the five-track demo 'Rotting In Hell' in August 1985. The band expanded, augmented by second guitarist Mark Schwartzberg, for second demo 'On We Slay'. The band then contributed the tracks 'Brain Damage' and 'On They Slay' to the 1987 'Raging Death' compilation album released on the Godly Records label. Sometimes in 1987 the band shortened their name to just Atheist and released their first demo 'Hell Hath No Mercy' the same year. As Atheist they would become innovators with their highly complex innovation taking Thrash into uncharted realms. Although held in awe by their peers Atheist found it tough going on the commercial circuit. Guitarist Rand Burkey's distinction came from not only playing his guitar left handed but performing this feat on a regular but upside down guitar with the strings aligned for a right handed player. This extremely rare double album features the two pre-Atheist demos under the name R.A.V.A.G.E. and also the first demo released as just Atheist. These demos are taken from the highest quality source tapes making it a must for fans of the band Track listing: 1. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Kill Or Be Killed-Rotting In Hell demo 1985 2. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Brain Damage-Rotting In Hell demo 1985 3. R.a.v.a.g.e.-The Eye Of May-Rotting In Hell demo 1985 4. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Hades Decree-Rotting In Hell demo 1985 5. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Rotting In Hell-Rotting In Hell demo 1985 6. R.a.v.a.g.e.-On They Slay-On We Slay demo 1987 7. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Brain Damage-On We Slay demo 1987 8. R.a.v.a.g.e.-Undefiled Wisdom-On We Slay demo 1987 9. Atheist-Hell Hath No Mercy-Hell Hath No Mercy demo 1987 10. Atheist-Beyond-Hell Hath No Mercy demo 1987 11. Atheist-On They Slay-Hell Hath No Mercy demo 1987