ALBUM REVIEW: Power From Hell – Profound Evil Presence

Here I review the brand new album from Brazil’s Blackened Thrashers POWER FROM HELL set for release via High Roller Records on June 14th.

1. Nightmare sets us off with sampled winds, a traditionally atmospheric way to begin an album that is richened by acoustic guitars filled with tranquility and echoing drum attacks. A beautifully melancholic yet empowering start to the album, settling a glorious mood that builds to battle-ready Heavy Metal with Manowar style spoken word. Incredibly effective.

2. When Night Falls blasts right into Blackened Speed Metal assaults with upbeat drums, sleazy riffs and maniacally howled vocals. Immediately setting a perfect tone for fans of true Extreme Metal insanity, building into storming aggression and violent chaos. There is an obnoxiously catchy groove to the song that is loveable and fun while still remaining menacing with the crisp production really assisting the conjuration of pure madness. There is also tension in the drawn out chords filled with momentum but breaking into some sleaze-ridden riffs. Thunderously pounding drums punctuate the gruesome guitars and snarling hideous vocals. The guitar solo was appropriately blistering but filled with melody, great stuff. A fantastic introduction for the full band on the album.

3. False Puritan Philosophies fires out built in guitars, melancholically flared yet still grandiose and epic with crashing cymbals. The instrumentals collectively storming into hellfire with full ferocity, accentuated by the monstrous vocal work and searing lead guitars that sound gorgeous with the primal gnarly instrumental rhythms dishing out total savagery with a natural haste. I fail to see how anyone would not enjoy the exciting whiplash pace of this song with its head-stomping, mosh pit fuelling attacks. There are haunting touches from the lead guitars that truly complement the inferno of Speed Metal barbarisms. Excellent.

4. Lust, Sacrilege & Blood pummels into further blackened territories with scorching dissonant riffs and blasting drums before building atmospheric chords and slamming fills boosted with whispered vocals that then drop back into that blistering main riff. The sheer aggression is punishing and dense with a morbidly sparse soundscape not unlike bands such as Sinmara but in a more speedy setting. While the sleaze has taken a backseat, the band show their ferocious experimental skills that play with discordant melodies and wolven howls. I adored the convulsive rhythms that added to the unsettling vibe of the song a hell of a lot. The only respite of sorts was the face-melting guitar solo which still felt chaotic and passionate. Wonderfully done.

5. Nocturnal Desire forcefully drives us back into torturous high tempo drumming and cascading, darkened guitars with slashing vocals. There is a growing sense of frenzy in the song that remains melodic yet files out hasty, skull-smashing violence with catchiness and momentum that is monstrously impressive. I am amazed by how atmospheric the music is while not feeling in any way laid-back, just mesmerisingly chaotic is the only summary that feels appropriate. Another utterly killer track that was unique yet also had a classically anthemic feel to it. Good work.

6. Unholy Dimension starts off with slow guitar chords, crashing cymbals and eerie leads, a true 80s vibe of bands like Mercyful Fate being captured gorgeously before we are thrown headfirst into an inferno of Blackened Speed Metal ferocity, totally violent and barbaric with primitive riffing, unrelenting drums and more cavernous snarls. Thrashing intricacies and melodies further the 80s feel of the song with a chilling and lively guitar performance and chiming drum work that back up the vocalists maniacal yells beautifully. Naturally growing in strength rapidly, this song is exactly what I want from this type of music. The guitar solo is perfectly utilised with Andy LaRoque style scale use that adds so much to the song before total savagery hits once more. Brilliant.

7. Lucy’s Curse barrages out bleak and sombre guitar chords that are tremolo picked hastily under the grisly vocal attacks, the lack of drums adds to the atmospheric feel before building us into thunderous and cavernous assaults at full speed. The melancholic touches of the song add a stunning juxtaposition within the music that only adds strength, a risk that paid off for the band, whom create a unique and still blistering experience while flaring the music with some emotion, bringing the passionate blitz into new territories. I also noticed some influence of the band Deceased might be present on the crypt-lurking songwriting, something that certainly adds to the haunting feel of the piece. Totally glorious.

8. Diabolical Witchcraft is weird from the off. Convulsive guitar rhythms and depressive arpeggios over snappy drums sounds strange but in a really cool way that is unsettling, especially when joined by the odiously dark vocals. Slamming blasts beats and tremolo riffs surge the song forth into battle with unique rhythms and a truly unhinging performance from the whole band that is just epic. Foreboding is certainly a word that comes to mind in this unpredictably volatile piece of total frenzy. This track felt particularly like it was conjuring up something evil, chaotic and frightening. Blasphemously Astounding.

9. Into The Sabbath opens with sparse, ambient guitar work that is dissonant and feels more like a traditionally Black Metal start to the song, taken further with the crashing cymbals and totally fierce vocals. There is still a jaunting and upbeat rhythm to the song but with furthering dissonant echoing chords that are haunting and hypnotising. Storming out consistently amazing songwriting, I am not surprised by how good this song is, I am surprised by how unnervingly brooding with hatred it is, damn impressive. The abominably gruesome thrashing touches come back in while not detracting from the hideously evil feel of the song. I must admit I did not predict how catchy this piece would become either, I do like unpredictability a lot. Absolutely awesome.

10. Elizabeth Needs Blood surges in with gnarly grooves and bleak guitars over punchy drums filled with tension. The swaying instrumentals backing up the blood-curdling vocals that soon ensue. There is a subtle snarling from the instruments that back the forceful vocals up beautifully. Elements of Norwegian Black Metal are clearly very present on this song with its Darkthrone like atmospherics that are upbeat while still eerie. The simplistic rhythm of the song makes it a perfect track to stomp around to as well before the blackened mayhem goes into full overdrive around halfway through. Morbidity and excellency is to be found here.

11. Demons Of The Night is the finale for this unique and utterly mental record, I am curious to see how the band close things. Starting off with demonic vocals before hellish guitars fade in, this is going to be something crazy. Full speed drums complete the demonic mix which perfectly entwines chaos and aggression to create a memorable final impression. The upbeat kick of the song but with mesmerisingly sombre sections to the otherwise ferocious guitar performance is so naturally woven together and tied with finality by the tormenting vocals. A catchy, monolithically crushing and unsettlingly dark ending track. This was just as excellent as expected and a glorious bow out for the album which was consistently impressive, as can be proven by this last song.

This is some incredibly unique Blackened Speed Metal that is emotive, dark, brooding and haunting. With 80s vibes ever-present but also some more modern influence on the more Black Metal side of the band such as dissonant riffs not unlike Svartidaudi or Deathspell Omega. The drums were beautifully varied while the primitive snarls of the vocalist were consistently strong. A valuable addition to the world of Extreme Metal that was impressively diverse while sticking true to certain formulae. -8.5/10