Merlin

Merlin is a Russian Death Metal band founded in 1992 by vocalist and bassist Mary Abaza.
==History==
Merlin was formed in 1992 in Moscow by vocalist Mary Abaza and guitarist Alex Loffe. After a long search for a drummer, they met Nick Byckoff. The band chose the name Merlin, based on the Arthurian Legend and also the Bird which tears into prey with its claws, which according to the band "reflects their personality."
Merlin recorded their first Demo "Welcome to Hell" in 1992, along with "Die". In 1994 they recorded their next demo, "Prisoner of Death", which was much more widely received and eventually landed them a contract with Hobgoblin records, releasing their first album "Deathkoteque" in 1997. With somewhat meager success, the band became known as leaders of Russian Death Metal.
In September of 2000, they released their second album "They Must Die", with Hobgoblin records in Russia, and a North American release with Grind It! Records. They Must Die was a much larger success around Russia, and they picked up a second guitarist, Arteom Nazarov. 
The band began recording their third album, "Brutal Constructor" in 2003, which was halted by a tragedy in which Nick Byckoff died in a car accident. They finished their album with drummer Vlad Vorona in 2004, the album contained a cover of "Zombie Ritual" by death metal progenitor Death as well as interpretations of classical music. 
The band has remained active officially but have not played shows or released in album in some time.
==Genre==
Merlin primarily writes Death-Grind music, as evident with their first demos and albums, as well as Thrash metal. Combining Abaza's growling vocals and shrieks with trace elements of bands like Death and Cannibal Corpse. They have covered a range of metal styles throughout each of their albums, including Neo-classical ideas in "Brutal Constructor".
==Review==
Merlin has released very few albums in the twenty-two years of supposedly being active. They led the Death Metal scene in Russia, being one of the few bands at the time who adopted the style. Their songs could be described as early Deathcore, to some extent. 6/10.