ALBUM REVIEW: Hellcrash – Inferno Crematörio

Italian Blackened Speed / Thrash Metal demons Hellcrash are back with their third album! Out via Dying Victims Productions on May 23rd.

Ripping in with some drumming mania and venomous riffing, the high speed onslaught of Hellcrash instantly grabs you by the throat. Packed with ruthless aggression and red hot melodies, the pure old school attack is one I expect a lot from after two phenomenal albums and the first moments do not disappoint. True metallic mayhem ensues quickly as the demonic vocals spew hellish verses atop the tornadoes of instrumental fire. Containing all of the groove and force that could be stamped into wax with the force of a megaton hammer on an anvil; Hellcrash make sure you are committed from the onset with blistering leads from both the bass and guitar along with untamed drumming and wild vocals. Everything about this record harkens back to the purest and earliest incarnations of extreme metal, worshipping at the altar of all that is evil while keeping the melodic 80s spirit firmly grasped in their iron fists.

Combining some of the most primal riffing energy with extremely versatile bass lines and piercing leads; the songwriting on this may be minimalistic but its extremely effective and the energy is always passionately intense with the trio pounding their instruments to dust. The tightness feels like the product of a lot of time spent playing as a band, rather than studio trickery cutting and pasting things together, giving the record a feel authentic feeling of electrifying magic. Huge drum fills wash over the waves of rapid guitar violence and brighten up the tone as we charge further and further into the depths with the demonic cavalry firing on all cylinders. There is something immediately satisfying about this particular style of heavy metal when it is done properly, without lazily cutting corners or trying to modernise things. Hellcrash’s passionate and rabid delivery of devilish anthems absolutely nails what I want from a record like this one.

For the most part, this album continues exactly in the vein of the first and second, which I am more than happy with. The real shocker is the ten minute closing track. Okay the other two had a longer closer, but this takes it even further. After a series of ripping attacks that all had that speeding barbaric lust that you’d expect from a record that looks like this, something a bit more dynamic is also welcome. Hellcrash clearly spend a lot of time listening to classic metal records and it rubs off on their music, which is why I like them so much. I’d say “Demonic Assassinatiön” is still my favourite by the band, but three albums in and they are still delivering strong material that I thoroughly enjoy listening to. Furthermore, I think this stuff will sound ferocious live and I look forward to seeing them later in the year – so make sure to keep an eye out for their tour dates. “Oathbreaker” really stood out as a highlight track for having a darker atmosphere while still keeping that pounding energy going strong. Clearly these three Italians still have a lot of conviction and bloodlust for playing this style of music which is all that matters. I, for one, am grateful they keep doing it and as a fan of everything to date; I will keep supporting them.

The gates of hell are open as we run into the pandemonium. Pure metallic hellfire burns bright and maniacs run wild into the night with Hellcrash’s savage third record. This inferno burns hotter than a thousand suns, cremating all that is holy with the flames of satanic sorcery. If you expected a total change in direction, I don’t know what to tell you. However, if a mental metal assault in the vein of their previous works sounds up your street; Inferno Crematoriö will certainly please the unholy freaks out there.