ALBUM REVIEW: Whipstriker – Cry Of Extinction

Brazilian Black Speed Metal tyrant Whipstriker is back with their fifth album! As a huge fan of their extensive discography and as writer of some of the lyrics on this very record; I am truly excited to hear it. Out via Hells Headbangers on March 7th.

A minute of introductory ambience begins our journey, setting the mood for our metallic adventure into the wastelands. Kicking off the mayhem with d-beating fury and venomous riffing; the Whipstriker onslaught is back with a vengeance. Vocally we get those raspy and aggressive howls with a sense of emotive urgency in the savage delivery. The mix of melodics with a primitive delivery is exactly what I like when listening to this kind of stuff and this band has always walked the line gloriously keeping both the ancient ways alive and continuing to bring something new to the table. With more than enough variation in even the opening moments; this isn’t just another copy-paste Black-Speed job. Whipstriker gives us more than most despite being basically one person (plus a session drummer). His leads are face-melting and the riffs never stop coming. After “Merciless Artillery” set the bar very high, a new album was always going to have to be killer and the start of this makes me think it’s a worthy follow-up.

Continually delivering a ravaging assault of Speed Metal bliss, the inferno of musical mayhem keeps you gripped and excited. The adrenaline flowing in each of those galloping guitar sections or soaring leads until more d-beat skull-cracking comes around the corner to brawl. The record feels like it’s always moving with fresh new hooks seemingly never ending in supply. The malicious delivery and superb execution to their simple but extremely effective method of songwriting is a perfect balance of competence and raw passion. The contrast between pure d-beat battery and really stunning guitar harmonies is something the band has always utilised superbly and I am glad to hear plenty of both on this new album. Through to its climax, this is an explosive and volatile opus that harnesses all of the power that the Heavy Metal underground has been building up since its inception. Running free into the night like wild dogs, Whipstriker and their maniacal listeners are unbound once again – set to explore the wild lands…

Closing the album, something rather unusual for the style; a ten minute epic! Right after their savage cover of Destruction, featuring Avenger from German Thrash Metal horde Nocturnal, this feels like the only way you could follow such a move. Rarely is a cover such a brilliant tribute to the original, especially when choosing a band as respected as Destruction. This has been one hell of a ride, one that I will surely return to on many occasions as I have and still do their previous works. Hearing Whipstriker haven’t lost their raw edge but continue to try and push forward and experiment with ideas (especially on that long closing song) is really cool. Victor is not becoming lazy as a songwriter and the proof is here in abundance. Also, the band recently released a four-way split, so the work ethic is another thing to be respected by this underground maniac. A rebellious spirit blazes brightly right until the end, where the only logical thing to do is play the record again as its contagiously enthusiastic delivery will pull you in for the long haul. Pure passion, no fashion – only metal is real! Brazil has always been a force to be reckoned with in the Heavy Metal world and that remains as true as ever in 2025.

That street-toughened rawness which is lost in some modern Heavy Metal is present here in buckets. Victor commands the legions of maniacs who adore Whipstriker with a charismatic and brutal record. Packing in a ton of diverse and memorable riffs, anthemic choruses and verses full of attitude; there is just so much to love about this album. Melody and primitivism blend in triumphant harmony with grooves aplenty to bang your head to. Black, Speed, Heavy and Thrash Metal coexist with a healthy dose of punk as Whipstriker cohesively sticks it all together into an evil concoction from hell. A truly magnificent album from one of the underground’s strongest names. Feel the rush of fury!