ALBUM REVIEW: Mongrel’s Cross – Arcana, Scrying and Revelation

Australian Black-Thrash Metal barbarians MONGREL’S CROSS are back with their 3rd full-length album, out now via Hells Headbangers!

Ripping right in with a fierce blend of riffs and drums that cut with a sharp steel edge of pure Aussie Black-Thrash might. Quickly joining are some grim vocals that add a much darker touch to the battle-hardened instrumentals as we delve into an arcane assault of extremity with warm bass, razor-sharp guitars, punishing drums and vicious vocals. These is clearly going to be a brutal and tormenting album of ferocity and mystique. Hammering into whiplash hooks with no remorse, the headbanging massacre that builds through the start of the record is monolithic and prophetic of the crushing material that lies ahead in waiting, ready to strike.

With a pounding and monstrous rhythm section, it is great to see some excellently bombastic lead work adding that 80s majestic touch to the brazen onslaught without detracting from the morbid mood of the record.This is the kind of stoic Black-Thrash that Hells Headbangers consistently and regularly unleash and for me, this sound doesn’t get old. As long as there is a passionate fire and sincerity to the music which there clearly is here, then the stride of blistering and scathing music is very easy to get into. This said, the record is not some flowery, easy-listening garbage, it is furious and malicious but with catchy songwriting indicative of talented musicians whom know their craft. This is the ideal meeting point showcasing the best of Black and Thrash Metal.

The savagery does not relent as we see the album progress through an array of marvellous tracks that are as anthemic and memorable as they are destructive and evil. The raw-cut production is clear and huge while certainly far from polished which accentuates the piercing might of the music even further. With atmosphere and aggression in high quantity and songwriting of high quality, you can be assured this is solid and hard-hitting Black-Thrash Metal that is worthy of your attention and will have most maniacs headbanging along in no time at all. There is also originality to this material which can sometimes be tricky with the genre but this doesn’t feel generic or like a rip-off of another band. Certainly a blast-worth record.

A strong and enjoyable album of glorious and mighty Black-Thrash that is a perfect soundtrack for battle and headbanging alike with soaring guitars, pounding drums and shrill vocals tied together with some warm bass work that thickens the tonality. The entire record is a sharp but also well-rounded listen that may not reinvent the Speed Metal wheel but certainly spins it with ferocity. -8/10