I Hate Records have been releasing some damn fine music of late (including the Nifelheim/Vulcano split), this release from arguably the first Brazilian extreme metal band (formed in 1981) is a re-issue of their 2004 comeback album ‘Tales of the Black Book’, and apparently, the first time this has been available outside of South America. Having only heard one album by this band (Bloody Vengeance) I was intrigued.
Immediately black, harsh thrash is the order of the day, and having been around for so long, it’s no wonder there has been hundreds of South American copycat bands following this same path. Having said that, its good stuff. With tales of death, good old Satan and the occult, it’s nothing short of what we would come to expect. ‘The Bells Of Death’ and ‘From The Black Metal Book’ make a harsh reality out of a boosted production; however, the vocals of ‘Angel’ can sometimes be lost in the mix.
There is a definite homage to all things Venom and maniac thrash metal not usually associated with the bay area, more like the Canadian chaps Witches Hammer. This does sound good, primitive/retro I guess, but then again that’s what everyone appears to want nowadays. ‘Devote to the Devil’ follows the satanic theme once more, ah, whom am I kidding, it’s all about Satan and the occult lyrically. Even the bluesy wah-pedal guitar solo appears to fit well, and then it’s straight back to their grim tales. ‘Face of the Terror’ opens into pure neck snapping thrash riffing, of course, it does not last long and off it goes again. The crossover vocal style, manic guitar solos (often wacky and bum notes included for good measure) bring a smile to your face, and then the arrangement goes back to a more structured thrash assault. ‘Guerreiros De Satã’ (‘Warriors of Satan’ if my Portuguese is any good) and ‘Troubled Mind’ keep up the momentum with the arrangements suit my current mood as I write this review. One of the stand-out tunes, purely for the differing arrangement is ‘The Sign Carved on the Door’.
If you’re into your retro occult metal then this is for you, followers of the South American music style will love this and many a Sextrash and Witchhammer fan would do well to pick this up. Many fans would want to pick up ‘Vulcano’s’ early releases; this for me is a lost classic. In short, it is downright dirty, extreme thrash metal mixed with a satanic ritual of pure evil.
http://www.myspace.com/vulcanobrazil
http://vulcano-blackmetal.vilabol.uol.com.br/
http://www.ihate.se
