Greece, a land with a rich history of culture is rightfully seen as a place fruitful in the creation of many fine metal and alternative bands, and thrash metal is no stranger at that.
Despite being more acquainted with the nation’s black metal output, I personally have come to enjoy Hellenic thrash metal in recent years, and one such band who opened the metaphysical gateways for me were Suicidal Angels.
Now, it is great go see the Athens based veterans return with their eighth studio release, Profane Prayer, which I feel marks the strengths and fortitude of the band as they near their 25th anniversary.
What promised a fun listen was the in-your-face gallop of opener “When the Lions Die,” mixing thrash style drums with some old-school metallic guitar gallops reminiscent of acts like Sabbat who introduced me to the genre over a decade ago. As well as an old school vibe, there are moments of slower, more contemporary elements of thrash’s history that show how a band can be equally as brutal at a pace slower than the genre’s signature speed. Case in point, I very much enjoyed the slow – almost breakdown tempo of “Deathstalker,” and despite not being a fan of metal that relies on breakdowns, I think these Greeks used the better side of this move to their advantage.
Later tracks like “Guard of the Insane” reminded me of the reasons I got in thrash in my early days on the metal scene as it’s punk rock style speed and shouted vocals brought back all the anger a young, wayward man can feel.
I should add that vocalist, Nick Melissourgos sounds similar to Hellenic metal god, Sakis Tolis on most of this record. That might be owing to my addiction to Rotting Christ’s discography, but stands as a noteworthy element that could introduce SA’s followers to the Hellenic black metal world and vice versa, for the RC scene not familiar with these thrashers.
In all, Profane Prayer is a 48-minute thrill ride into a realm of death, murder, war, torture and general horror riding on an undead cavalry headed by the grim reaper. For those of you who love all death and dark fantasy related metal that is both fast and agile, or slow and twists the knife into your eardrums, give these Greeks a shot. Another album that made me happy to see my fatherland continuing to produce excellent music today.
(8/10 Demitri Levantis)
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