It’s debut album time for this bunch of Teutonic terrors, always a big step even in this day and age. Once the backwards snarling and melodic guitar intro ‘Conflagration’ is out of the way, which suggests some gritty and dark but traditional metal, we get dropped into ‘Eucharistic Birth’ which is pretty much old skool with a capital k. Kind of early Venom meets Morbid Tales era Celtic Frost which, let’s be honest, is a grand place to start up a bit of satanic/occult themed thrash. The most impressive thing from the off is the riffing in here; it’s dense, tight and lively as Hell and bounces around tempo changes without falling into chopping territory. These riffs roll on like a steam engine. Snarling vocals that make me want to clear my own throat and the occasional bit of gang style backing all add to the loose and lethal, feral atmosphere. Good rowdy fun.

It’s on third track ‘Ostara’ that the final piece really drops in though. Schafott have a great way with yer actual melody. I mean zinging, sharp melodic runs that lead the riffs up and down through tempo changes and hooks that slash the flesh. So in amongst all this gnarly old skool ripping, you can add a layer of Teutonic thrash, a slice and dice of maybe the approach of Dissection mixed in and a hyperactive approach to keeping those riffs interesting. They can even do slow now and again.

I do have to say that charmingly low-fi as it is the production does bother me a little in places: There are moments of biscuit tin drum sounds on a couple of tracks and sometimes the obvious punch of the riff is pulled a little. Other places though it’s fine – check out the bass intro of the utterly marvellous ‘By The Lust Of The Witch’ (think of it as their answer to ‘Procreation Of The Wicked’) and the riff sound drilling way down.

For a debut this is marvellous. Yep, lots of influences painted and patched up and down their scuffed leather sleeves but the verve, the dexterity and the afternoon to the almighty thrashed up riff here is superb. Bet they’re a blast live.

Great stuff guys, welcome to the darkness.

(8/10 Gizmo)

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