When I saw that Sweden’s Vassago had decided to release a new album, some 22 years after the debut, ‘Knights From Hell’, was released I just had to have it for review. I bought said debut on the strength that it had a couple of Lord Belial members but also because I liked the cover art and the titles. No prechecking on the internet for me back then, just taking the plunge and hoping for the best. I was very pleased with my decision as said debut ticked all the right boxes for an album soaked in total Satan worship but offering a tongue in cheek approach I found refreshing.

Anyway, enough of the reminiscing history lesson and onto ‘Storm Of Satan’ as this sophomore feels like the band never went away continuing their typical onslaught of blasted black metal tinged with their unique way of adding melodic traits as every song is suffixed with ‘…Of Satan’ which I will leave off when titling the songs from now on. ‘Darkness…’ kicks off the album in fine style with an atmospheric opening of chanted vocals before the song explodes with a heavy metal riff initially before unleashing half-blasted fury. Like the debut this album has its own individuality as the opener offers an unyielding bombardment that almost feels mechanised on the drum work, but where this album differs from the debut is the added atmospherics which work an absolute treat when inserted.

On the back an elongated vocal scream ‘Elite…’ batters the living hell of you, its intensity is felt through the cranked-up riffing style that increases in tone very subtly. Added to that the band incorporate fine lead breaks something this album has in droves. The demented speed of ‘Fire…’ is utterly insane, the blast is frenetic and driven by the scathing vocals and rampaging riff incursions as there is absolutely no subtlety here, just pure malicious evil. Same can be said of ‘Grind…’ where a cymbal smashing accompaniment to the riff signals warp speed blasting as the song threatens to hurtle itself into oblivion before reining the speed in superbly, allowing a slightly more atmospheric overtone to be instilled.

‘Mayhem…’ is brilliant from start to finish as a short fade-in generates a song that detonates with a warring black metal assault right until the song drops into a lead break and brief slower section. ‘Metal…’ is longer, slower and far more controlled. The opening bass and drums salvo are hooked into more atmospherics and a melancholic riff. The gradual increase in intensity is to be expected as the song unveils double bass right before the surging onslaught at its conclusion. More atmospherics greet you on ‘Sign…’ offering a slower pace again but still entrenched in malevolence as the title track follows with thunder noises and a weird noise piercing the mix before the song unfurls its blackened pugnacity. Whilst not wholly obliterating in speed the song possesses that unerring intensity that saturates this album as ‘War…’ closes this great album. Gunfire signals the start as the track detonates into life with ultra-fast blast bursts. As the riff break crashes in the song decides to increase the speed further into hyper velocity annihilating realms. However, the band inject their own catchiness with a fine switch in riff that has a black ‘n’ roll touch especially with the solo embedded. The closer is crazy for sure, the mental speed showing little signs of easing up, creating a maniacal, homicidal and outright murderous finale to the album.

The warriors of Satan return after two decades with a no-nonsense pure satanic driven black metal release that rarely eases up, preferring to beat the listener into submission through ten homages to the fiery one below.

(9/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/vassagosweden

https://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/storm-of-satan