ALBUM REVIEW: Hellish – The Dance Of The Four Elemental Serpents

Chilean Black-Thrash horde HELLISH return with their third full length album! Out via Dying Victims Productions and Unspeakable Axe Records on December 16th.

A blaze of melodic riffing, ripping bass lines and crazed drums maniacally kicks into life with a traditional yet ferocious blend of metallic fury. Having followed this band for quite a few years, their albums and EP’s maintain a consistent release schedule yet always warrant excitement due to their razor sharp Black-Thrash Metal always being some of the best around. The opening moments of this new opus confirm my faith in their abilities as it instantly delves into the pits of hell with mighty musical swings of scythe as blasphemous instrumentals and scornful vocals howl with an animalistic vengeance. A savage, relentless and fiery start to things which I am certain will not falter.

The way in which they turn melodies into spearheads of aggression is very likeable to that of Swedish titans Nifelheim, yet Hellish have something distinctly South American to their sound which has that passionately energetic and bestial flavour. Although there is inarguably a primitive nature to their style and its gritty execution, the ferocity of the riffing, mayhem-fuelling drums and wonderfully evocative bass work shows plenty of ability. This is taken even further by some truly face-melting guitar solos which regularly throw even more molten steel into the pot for conjuring old school carnage. Hellish may be barbaric maniacs, but their skills in pounding drums and wielding axes speaks for itself.

With eight pieces of music spanning just over thirty minutes, there is no singular stand-out. I do not mean no song is particularly good, I mean they all slay in their own way and have a valid place in the record’s running time. The entirety of the record will take you on a glorious journey, which has some real dynamic prowess to it. The downtrodden sombreness of “Violent, Bloody and Cold” sways with a funereal presence contrasted entirely by the likes of “Secrets Of The Sands” which showcases total chaos. Hellish are one of those Blackened Thrash Metal bands who have a lot of elements to their sound, making it a special one that deserves attentive listeners who truly appreciate the underground ways.

Once more, Hellish deliver prime Extreme Metal ferocity with no remorse. Harkening back to the ways of old while constantly striding forwards, their blistering blend of musical meanness is unforgiving and utterly true to the traditions of Heavy Metal. This third album is another marvellous addition to their untainted discography of diabolism.