Satanic horns aloft it’s time for some unadulterated metalpunk from Japan. This trio comprising of Noctisadistum, Vladphemer and Branded Rebel have been active since 2015 and made a racket over a slew of demos, splits, live album a compilation and debut album F.O.A.D.I..F in 2022. Follow up Baptised In Goat’s Blood got a US release via Nuclear War Now at the tail end of last year and is now getting a European one via Iron Fist Productions. One look at the titles from these Heavy Metal Avengers and you know exactly what you are in for here, a feast of just over half an hour’s worth of heavy metal thunder harking back to the gods and indeed the goats of yore. Fire, steel, blood and ashes are the source elements, mixed in a cauldron and left to simmer and spew.

The goat is dispatched with in a baptism of ominous instrumental blood before Lucifer is summoned and hell unleashed. This is sharp and volatile galloping bravado full of scything guitar licks forged on molten metal. Speedy blackened neck cracking it pelts away with gargling razorblade vocals and screaming guitar work. Banging away is obligatory and devilish worship mandatory as what sounds like it could be a Coffin Joe sample pumps us into the tempestuous ‘Beast Of Chaos.’ Songs are precise batterers with plenty of propulsion about them, honed of fat and kept to lean lengths there is an urgency as the trio bang things out. Occasionally they slow down with some classic metal licks and even throwing in the odd falsetto scream as a mark of authenticity. Vocals are gnarly at times and suitably snarl and growl away on songs like ‘Scythe Of The Ripper’ and should have fans of Venom, Bathory and Nifelheim bowing down in worship.

Before you know it side goat is over and we are on to side blood with the strumming flagellation of ‘Leviathan’s Priest’ ripping up a blasphemous storm. There’s little deviation from the group’s pursuit of keeping it all real. An elongated wail and punkish bounce on this one illustrate the enthusiasm of the group and although their intentions of presenting themselves as an ‘Evil Force’ are evident it sounds like they are having plenty of fun along the way. Survive the high slung screeches of ‘The Witches Curse’ and before you know it we have raced through things and at vitriolic closer ‘Heavy Metal Avenger’

Traditional and old school metal to the hilt all Bafomet really need is the approval of Fenriz if they haven’t already received it.

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

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