Brazilian Metal is a very integral part of Metal’s history as a whole. Bands like Sepultura, Krisiun Sarcófago, and Mutilator showed the world a new level of extremity that still to this day is hard to pin point. These bands aside for perhaps the odd few defied convention with a sound that can only be described as Extreme Metal, borrowing or even giving influence to Death Metal, Black Metal and Thrash Metal. The sound itself is also one that is instantly recognisable as noisy, chaotic, destructive and filthy. Almost like bringing the Punk edge to Metal, straying from the delicate riffs and plunging into putrid damnation.

One such band whom played an equally large part in the Brazilian scene are Holocausto. The bands 1985 Massacre demo and 1986 Warfare Noise I split with Sarcófago, Mutilator and Chakal are now underground Extreme Metal classics. Even the bands 1987 debut Campo De Extermínio which leans more to Thrash has solidified itself as a gem. Thereafter the bands output has been sporadic even delving in Industrial waters in the 1990’s. None the less Holocausto are back with a line up hailing the early days. They now give us Diário De Guerra through Nuclear War Now! Productions the bands sixth full length release.

The war torn introduction is a befitting if not slightly lengthy sampled segue into the albums beginning. The simply titled Holocausto becomes the first track as if the band are re-writing their own history with this eponymous number. It’s an all out attack of breakneck speed, machine gun drumming, messy Blackened Thrash riffs and horrible shrieking vocals that are sure to make the hairs of any Black Metal or Extreme Metal fan stand on end. Most of the tracks appear to follow this similar suite, blending the savagery of Black or even Death Metal with nigh on Grindcore and the catchy aesthetic of Thrash Metal.

In fact referencing Grindcore is most apt, I mean this in the sense that a lot of the tracks simply merge together, yet not in any sort of negative manner. Instead they just give us a barrage of blasting chaos with little to no let up and a heap of memorability in tracks like Zona De Conflito (Faixa De Gaza), and Símbolos Da Discórdia. Then enters the second portion of this release with another similar intro to that at the start of the album. Then comes the titular track which gives us some memorable riffs along with the usual Blackened catchy carnage. From here the album plays out as expected and closes with a brief outro of battle.

As the shell shock rings in our ears we contemplate the facets of this release. I for one would have to say that this is probably one of the strongest Brazilian Metal albums I’ve heard in some time. It transports you back to the early days and gives you exactly what you want. In fact had this album been put out in the 80s it would undoubtedly be a sure fire hit with Metal fans the world over and probably have seen Holocausto go on to bigger and better things. Alas it’s not too late, do yourselves a favour and get this in your ears straight away, pure, unadulterated Extreme Metal at its finest.

(8/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/Holocaustowarmetaloficial-286356221705593

https://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/di-rio-de-guerra