If you like horror movies, riffs, and think that all necks need a workout to some dirty rhythms, then there’s a fair chance you’ll get to like Possessor, already like Possessor, or for that matter, already be in Possessor! Sporting a cover like a pre-BBFC video that some of us used to be able to rent from assorted corner shops and garages back in the day (yes, I get it, I’m old!), ‘Damn The Light’ is this London trio’s latest attempt to draw you into their world.
‘Bloodsuckers’ commences the album with a few gentle bars that may have the unsuspecting listener thinking “Ooh, Mike Oldfield”, before Possessor attack the lug holes with riffage care of the early days of thrash, interspersed with some sleazy beats and sneeringly delivered lyrics seemingly torn from the pages of the Misfits book of mayhem. After this sonic battering any hopes of a rest are kicked into touch by the appearance of ‘Coffin Fit’; yes, it is less frantic, but by adding a massive dollop of sludge into their blend of video nasties and punk it is not for one second any less heavy, the bass line practically jabbing out of the speakers to deliver a rumbling gut punch. Are Possessor seeking the legendary “brown note” to have their audience literally as opposed to just figuratively shitting their pants? I don’t know, but it’s a theory I can’t discount. Strap in for the ride as there is no break in sight, ‘Take It To The Grave’ sprinting out of the block before bleeding into ‘The Strangeness’ that has a sound hearkening back to the early days of a certain state of the art speed metal band, albeit vocalist/guitarist Graham Bywater’s voice is not that of an angry goblin, even if it would be easy to imagine a certain famed conspiracy theorist delivering this track and follow up ‘Razorback’, albeit there would be a lot more polishing than is evident in the lo-fi goodness of this album.
Title track ‘Damn The Light’ slows down the pace with a NWOBHM tinged opening over the sound of a howling wind, and I for one felt myself wondering when Di’Anno’s voice would fire out of the speakers? Indeed, throw this tune through a time portal into the hands of the late lamented Martin Birch and it would have fitted in rather nicely on ‘Killers’. Trust me, I am not in any way accusing Possessor of plagiarism, rather praising the timeless nature of the track which doubtless shared the same influences. The band continue to trawl through the back catalogue of horror for the rest of the album, finishing with ‘Return To Slaughter High’, their own musical sequel to the 1986 slasher ‘Slaughter High’, and like the film, the track is nasty, dirty, and dark. Also, like the films of that era which relied on practical effects rather than computer trickery, the music of Possessor is clearly not the victim of over production and polish, rather it is designed to be played live and loud.
With ‘Damn The Light’ Possessor have delivered what should be the sound track to any Halloween party where metal is the order of the day, and were hosting such an event possible in the current climate, I promise you they’d be blasting out of the speakers in this house. So, even if you can’t have mates around, treat yourself to the music, and show the band and their rather excellent label APF Records some love by splashing some cash. And if you think I’m being a hypocrite by making that suggestion whilst listening to a free download, well, I pre-ordered the CD and T-shirt package the day it was announced and long before this music came my way from the editor.
(8/10 Spenny)
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