Demo Tapes by Hedles

The EP Demo Tapes by Hedles resurrects recordings of Western Ukrainian raw thrash/death metal that remained unnoticed since 1992. The band emerged during the turbulent transition from a totalitarian regime to a brief moment of total freedom—when anything seemed possible, even challenging America’s Big Four. Though Hedles never broke beyond the local Western Ukrainian scene, their music stands out with progressive elements that offered an alternative to thrash metal’s decline in the West during the 1990s. The band’s apocalyptic lyrics now seem eerily prophetic. Thus, the opening track, "Evil Empire at War," envisions a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine, a nightmare that today feels disturbingly close to reality. This release commemorates the 30th anniversary of the band's split in 1995.

Active in the 1990s, Hedles blended classic-era thrash/death metal with progressive innovations.