Long standing and enduring thrash veterans Vulcano have been around for around four decades and released eleven albums, plus a smattering of lives and EPs, previous to this latest effort. Whilst probably never attaining the same status as their compatriots Sepultura, their influence on the underground scene, especially in the 1980s is undoubted. Playing raw thrash but with a healthy dose of deathliness Vulcano have straddled the death and thrash genres probably before the term deathrash even existed, and even protoblack metal to some degree.
For some reason when I got this promo the tracks were not in the order according to the track list in the promo info even though the number tag indicated the order to listen to them when I looked at the mp3 tag closely. So, I actually listened to the album, at first, in the wrong track order as the release kicks off with ‘Metal Seeds’ and the initial calm semi-acoustic beginning lays the foundation for what is to follow. What follows is their brand of barbed caustic thrash, peppered with deathly touches but always supremely aggressive as the opener proves once fully underway. The band load their songs with riffs, great lead breaks and a ton of power as ‘Putrid Angel Ritual’ follows. Here the band unleash their warp speed assault, blasted velocities creating a blackthrash ferocity tinged with a corrosive toxicity that continues with ‘Tear Gas’. Half blasted tempos sit astride this band’s unique raw thrashing delivery as I especially liked the utter violence here.
‘Keep Mind’ has some fine lead work, a total asset on all the songs as that violence shows no signs of waning as ‘A Night In A Metal Gig’ continues. Any song with a title like this is going to be anthemic, isn’t it… well sort of it is, as the old school thrash links in the blackened elements but bolsters it with some fine catchy vibrancy even though the speed is insane. ‘7 Seconds In Hell’ is a short vicious tune, its riff and cymbal smash beginning is what I loved about thrash back in the 80s as here we get some awesome riff breaks before the title track offers respite from the rabid onslaught which continues with the grinding power of ‘Trigger Of Violence’. This is one of those songs that drills into your head, using an infectious nature to really grasp the listener.
I adored ‘Night Terror With Satan’, its old school aggression will really appeal to those craving the halcyon thrash days of the 80s, but with a modern touch of course on the sound creating a beastly density. This album is loaded with great hooks, riffs to splinter your bones and puncture your flesh as on ‘Witches Don’t Die’ and a track prior to it, ‘The Altar Of Defiance’ with the latter possessing a cool bass intro riff before the escalation in speed.
This is a no-frills album, it did what I expected it to, skin stripping riffs, bone crunching percussion and vocals that scrape the throat raw. If you’re new to Brazil’s Vulcano then rectify that by checking out this excellent new album, it would be a wise investment for sure.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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