Detonator emerged from the Hungarian town of Mezőkövesd in 1986 and
existed for approximately five years, during which time it recorded two
demos of evil thrash metal with pronounced elements of death and black
metal. Although it was active in the same underground metal scene and
shared the same stage as the storied Tormentor, Detonator never achieved
the same level of notoriety as its contemporary. In fact, it followed
much the same trajectory in that regard as another of its compatriots,
Angel Reaper, along with whom it also gigged and recorded in obscurity.
Also like Angel Reaper, Detonator chose its native Hungarian tongue as
the language of its blasphemes, which was a likely factor in the band
never attaining proper international recognition. Nuclear War Now! seeks
to rectify this oversight by presenting Detonator’s most accomplished
recording, “Demo 1990,” on vinyl LP. Accompanied by an insert that
features a rare interview, photos, and flyer images that document
Detonator’s live appearances with its aforementioned Hungarian
counterparts, this seven-track demo LP is an essential artifact for all
who worship early Eastern European extreme metal.
- C. Conrad