Portal is without a doubt one of the best death metal bands coming out of Australia currently. They play a form of harsh death metal that possesses the technical weirdness and intensity of Gorguts, yet has the aesthetic feel of the most nihilistic, inhumanly fast black metal acts, and still finds time to mess with ambience and sound in such a manner that it will induce the sickest nightmares this side of Rune. Their full length Seepia is a criminally underrated gem, and their EP and split material with Rites of Thy Degringolade is just as good. Portal’s second album, however, has been a long time in coming; Outre won’t arrive until September 2007 at best. Luckily, Portal released this demo tape last year for a slight peek at what horror was coming our way.

And Lurker at the Threshold is worth every dollar, despite the archaic medium. The riffing is intense, bizarre, and faster than a bullet to the back of the skull. The Curator’s vocals are bleak, cold, and horrifying in a way that only some Lovecraftian beast could match, and the drums are equally baffling and satisfying. The song writing is up to par with everything that made Seepia a cult classic, and if "13 Globes" (which will be reappearing on the upcoming Outre) is any indication, the next album will be another notch in the belt for Portal.

Who gives two shits if Lurker at the Threshold is a tape? Go wipe off your tape deck, plug it in, grab Lurker at the Threshold (it’s selling for a measly $5 US), and get ready for utterly frightening occult death metal. Portal demonstrates again in these mere 3 tracks why they’re one of death metal’s best acts.

Written By: Necro-tron