DISSECTION - THE PAST IS ALIVE (THE EARLY MISCHIEF)

This 1997 release on a reissue LP limited to 700 copies that just was released on Hammerheart Records. Can’t tell you enough how absolutely excellent I think this Dissection compilation is. The title is taken from the lyrics in one of my top-3 Mayhem songs ever Pagan Fears, however they should’ve cut out “The Early Mischief” part from the title. The word mischief sounds a bit juvenile in my opinion, but of course it doesn't take away anything from the music.

Still remember buying the original digipack CD on Necropolis Records at its release in 1997 and playing it nonstop for a very long time. Even if it didn’t have any new material it was still great because I hadn't heard these versions of any songs on "The Past Is Alive" before.

Back in 1997 I was really hoping for a new Dissection record that I thought was coming out sometime in 1998 or early 1999. You all know what happened with that... It was quite a shock to find out when Jon Nödtveidt was arrested for murder in December of 1997 just a few months after the release of "The Past Is Alive". It's all in the past now but at the time it felt like fuck there will never be any more Dissection after this because I thought he was going to get a life sentence. And when you're 17 years old and it's one of your favorite bands the feeling was total disaster.

Anyway “The Past Is Alive” consists of a bunch of various old recordings. 3 songs from the 7" EP and demo “Into Infinite Obscurity” (1991); 1 song from “The Grief Prophecy” (1990) demo; 1 song from a 1990 rehearsal tape; 4 from “The Somberlain” 1992 demo but what I probably appreciate most are the 2 Satanized songs.

A band/project Jon Nödtveidt was involved in as a guitarist together with future Dissection members Johan Norman (guitar) and Tobias Kjellgren (drums) back in 1991 as a guitarist. Also on bass Thomas Backelin (Lord Belial etc) and vocalist Per Alexandersson was members of this band. The 2 and only songs from the “Rehearsal ‘91” recording by Satanized that's called Satanized and Born in Fire makes it worth buying "The Past Is Alive" compilation alone because they are absolutely amazing songs. Really wish there was more Satanized songs that was recorded but sadly there isn't.

If one want more "obscure" Jon Nödtveidt recordings I highly recommend checking out Terror. A short lived project with Jon on vocals and the At The Gates members Jonas Bjöler (bass), Anders Bjöler (guitar) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums). The recorded the 3 song "Demo 1994" that was released in April that same year (listen to it last in the post). It was the only thing they ever recorded and would be nice to have on a official CD or LP release.

It’s great that “The Past Is Alive” was released and with the classic Dissection lineup. They were definitely in my top-3 bands during the 90’s, I've written on numerous occasions how the album "The Somberlain" and Dissection really changed my view on extreme Metal music forever.

However I think some of their magic was lost when Tobias Kjellgren took over as their drummer don't get me wrong he's a skilled drummer. But for me Ole Öhman will always be my favorite Dissection drummer of all time, sure Jon Nödtveidt was the reason Dissection were beyond brilliant.

Anyway this is a mandatory record to have in my opinion if you’re at all interested in the scene.
Hail Jon Nödtveidt and Dissection!!