This debut release, translated as ‘Eternal War’ I believe, comprises of a trio of Spaniards who wear more spikes, bullet belts, chains than most of the old thrash acts of the 80s combined and completed by headgear that looks like metallized Stormtroopers. It can come across as laughable and clichéd but music can be about theatrics and if they deck themselves out according to the album cover for live shows then that’s all good with me.

The expected wave of blasting mayhem fails to materialise on the opener, “La Sombra En La Ciénaga” which starts rather gently with a slow and emotive riff that builds steadily ready for the track to hit the ground running. The vibe is Hellhammer on this release for a good part with good gritty thrash riffs mixing with the oblique deathliness that Hellhammer produced so well. As the track develops a glass shattering scream sends the song’s pace upwards. A slight conversion to a Celtic Frost styling is adopted for the opening riff and cymbal smash on “Razas Del Sepulcro”, possessing a punk attitude with the drums clamouring all over the place but with good control. It is good to hear a nicely defined drum sound especially the cymbal work which do their job in highlighting different parts of the songs.

“La Marca Del Hereje” veers towards a denser style gathering momentum ready for a riff break which this band unquestionably likes. It arrives and is followed by an organic double kick that sounds like the rumbling of the engine on a retro muscle car. Vocally they stay within a black thrash template and much of this album is within that genre but they also love their heavy metal as the track has plenty of tuneful riffs to punctuate the songs without interrupting momentum. Two of the tracks act as a division for the album before the last three songs, they’re a tad clichéd but serve their purpose with chanting vocals, croaking groans on the first with the second being more metal based, but dotted with atmosphere.

“Vástagos De La Abominación” erupts from nowhere and returns the album back to the black thrashing lunacy and has a fine Slayeresque lead break. The double kick runs through the song in surges and has a filthy aura similar to Venom’s debut album. “Centinela De Los Túmulos” starts far slower, funereal in fact, with a steady drum thump like a death march. Some keyboards and choral vocals are added which surprised me somewhat but fit the track well. You can feel the track tensioning through the distorted lead ready for the upsurge in pace via the riff break. Instead of adopting the blast the band keeps the pace mid-tempo preferring to jar the listener with copious guitar hooks and wailing soloing in the background.

Closing the release is the title track, again keeping the pace outside of blasting preferring to punch the listener with grinding riffing and added atmospherics. The song veers through various guises changing speed abruptly to good effect as a rolling double bass floods the track. There is that noxious 80s thrash feel linked to hard hitting guitar hooks and it is extremely catchy making this release far more enjoyable than I expected. Lots of bands crave the old 80s sound and this Spanish lot has managed to create an album that is original but also feels very familiar too like a well-worn pair of jeans or a favourite band shirt..

(8/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/sacrificio.de.sangre