ALBUM REVIEW: Hell Strike – Hellstrike

Consisting of a lineup of Death Metal veterans, a new entity entitled HELL STRIKE emerges from the underground. Decidedly old school and vicious, their debut mini-album is set for release via Chaos Records on July 16th.

Conjuring a storm of fearsome blastbeats and scathing riffs, the instantly formidable darkness of this entity can be felt. The vocals have a bestial quality that gloriously suits the triumphant warfare of the instruments, together concocting a ravenous and demonic presence of pure Death Metal destruction. There is a remarkably catchy quality to some of the riffs, though they do not soften, treating us to a vitriolic disdain that does not falter. The cymbal work features so tasteful yet not obnoxious intricacies that complement the seething fretwork beautifully as the daunting vocal presence often makes itself very much heard, it is important to keep the instruments varied, which is done successfully. Through piercing dissonance, the MLP reaches even more fervent and feverish soundscapes of morbid horror, while keeping that bludgeoning Death Metal ferocity and adding a light flavouring of spectral doom to the mix. This is certainly not for the faint of heart, this is pure sonic hellfire without respite.

Amidst rhythmic disembowelment and eldritch atmospherics we see some whammy abuse descend into blistering lead work that complements the vast and unforgiving depths of Hell Strike’s riff/drum onslaught perfectly. There is a sparse quality to the production and slower sections especially that enriches the abyssal music with cavernous tonality, while absolutely not straying from the spearhead-like precision of the record. This mini-album does not rely on ambience, yet generates a malignant atmosphere that can be recognised from the musicians other projects (namely Ritual Necromancy, Ascended Dead and Bloodsoaked), while clearly this atmosphere is generated from musical quality and not used a substitute for outright ferocity. Right until the end we see sonic diversity, musical complexity and sheer disdain deliver an unwavering Death Metal convulsion of utter resplendence.

Soak in the filth-lurking depravity and violent scolds of Hell Strike, their debut offering is one of truly macabre, daunting and vicious excellence. Pure ritualistic carnage.