France has been a hotbed for Heavy / Speed / early Thrash Metal worship, one such act being SACRIFIZER whose EP got them some well-earned attention and now they’re back with a debut full length. Out via Osmose Productions on May 27th.
Ripping into life with a blast of savage drums and blistering leads atop thrashing riffs, the maniacally evil music is instantly ferocious in energy. Scathing vocals and riffs deliver a high-speed onslaught of sonic artillery while double kicks and cymbals give a hammer and anvil effect aside relentless snare hits. Taking the likes of Sodom, Destruction, Vulcano and Judas Priest, adding a healthy dose of first wave Black Metal and playing on 45rpm, this malicious Extreme Metal inferno will swallow you up for the entire ride or spit you out on track 1, leaving all wimps cast aside. The closest contemporary to Sacrifizer is probably Norway’s Black Viper or fellow countrymen Hexecutor, whom also deliver ripping Speed Metal fury of the highest quality. Anyway, back to the matter at hand, the opening moments of this dastardly rain of hellfire is destructive and merciless with superb musicianship and unpolished production lending authenticity to the 80s-inspired extremity that is untamed and animalistic in all facets.
Continually pummelling us with some of the most violent storms of drumming barbarity you will hear this year, the rhythmic side of the band is utterly unwavering, while the bass and guitar work is piercing in the manner of a spear through the heart that is then struck by lightning, an electrifying experience. Vocally, the more blackened tinges lend even more aggression and urgency to the feral sound, without straying too far from their old school approach. On tracks like “A Funeral Majesty” which is perfectly titled, we see some dynamic melancholy touches in the riffing, which when played at extremely high speed has such a contagiously evocative effect that it will have you chilled yet still pumping your fist and banging your head. Additionally the aforementioned piece is a perfect example of just how face-melting the solos are, which are packed with melody and fury in equal abundance. A pure stream of molten metallic glory!
The use of synths occur a couple of times on the album to give us a moment of nostalgic respite before continuing the vitriolic rampage. Thankfully these do not destroy the carefully cultivated momentum of titanic proportions, rather allowing tension to build allow with the atmospheric side of things to develop. Not overstaying their welcome, 99% of this record is pure flesh-tearing Speed Metal triumph that goes straight for the jugular. Truly a maniacal and gloriously executed affair from start to end. There is nothing missed, nor anything that feels unnecessary or overboard. Sacrifizer have carefully concocted this album to be exactly right and uncompromising, something they ultimately succeed in, clearly on their own terms. The subtler moments feel just as intense, rather than whimpering pandering, while the overall energy is one of imminent threat and exigency toward the old school spirit being maintained. The use of both French and English lyrics gives the record a bit more mystique, especially when veiled by the raw, raspy but still clear annunciation used. Tonally the guitars feel warm and unspoiled by layers of compressed over-saturation while the drums boom with monstrous timbre (plus I am pretty sure rototoms are utilised which will always boost my adoration for a percussionist). Everything just feels “right” here.
Capturing all of the lustful feelings of Heavy Metal music that either grabs you or terrifies you, Sacrifizer are an enchanting barbaric horde whose music delivers all of those key elements we seek in this magical music. Without feeling cliché, the band have nailed their defining full length debut as a call to arms for all true Heavy Metal warriors who shall arise in hordes when they hear its excellence.
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