Brazil is the home of perhaps some of the truest Metal to date. Early Sepultura spearheaded the movement and all around them were the likes of Sarcophago, Krisiun, Mutilator and Holocausto to name but a few. It has been a breeding ground for Metal ever since the 80’s and long may it continue. I personally wasn’t all that sold on the sound when I first heard it, but now as time has passed I have grown to love it and appreciate its influence the world over. Indeed, many bands may not have existed had it not been for such pioneers of Extreme Metal.
Today’s band of choice are one whom also helped to bring the Brazilian reign upon the globe. The classic Vulcano. These Thrash infused maniacs dabble in both the Black and the Death to bring about some truly iconic music. Perhaps most notably the band’s debut Bloody Vengeance, a short snappy record that has garnered critical acclaim over the years. Yet the band are far from a one album wonder, they now have a mighty ten albums under their belt! Now in 2020 they give us their eleventh offering, Eye In Hell, can it live up to the bands hype?
Bride Of Satan opens with some striking Thrash riffs and then in come the Death infused vocals. All of this is delivered with some pretty clean production, an odd choice for Brazilian Metal. I like it though and the track and sound comes across as very Sodom sounding. The album seldom strays from this delivery, but it’s one that works as the riffs are memorable along with a lot of the vocals. Evil Empire is perhaps next to catch the listeners ear, a modern sounding Extreme Metal barrage that proves that the bands are moving forward, yet in a positive light. Sirens Of Destruction then comes to round off the first half and ring in the second. Further Death infused Thrash riffs encapsulate the instrumentation as the bass rumbles beneath, all the while giving of fumes of evil.
Referencing earlier albums comes Mysteries Of The Black Book, another good track, but one that sees the tried and tested Thrash ideals of Vulcano start to run dry and become less entertaining. When The Day Falls is a pretty epic, crushing blow that adds to the pools of strong tracks on this record, yet it is very predictable. Finally the album closes with the title track, and really by this point we’ve heard it all, as stated before it isn’t bad just a touch generic. Although I suppose when you have been at the forefront of this sound your entire career you can get away with it. The ending is also very abrupt and feels like an unexpected stop.
However I somewhat commend the band on their uneventful closure. There is no time wasted in this album, which nowadays it quite the feat. Vulcano don’t have any time to fanciful interludes or pontification. This is about as purist as Extreme Metal gets and rings true with the Brazilian sound that I’m sure many of you will be familiar with, equally it ushers in cleaner production for a more modern delivery. If you want another slab of Brazilian Extreme Metal that toys with mostly Death and Thrash ideals then Eye In Hell is sure to please. Although be warned it can get a little repetitive after a while.
(7/10 George Caley)
Leave a Reply