Year: 2024
Total Time: 48:24
Label: Nuclear Blast
Since our first encounter with SUICIDAL ANGELS in 2007, we’ve maintained a regular rendezvous every two or three years at most, eagerly anticipating each release. With their eighth album finally upon us after a five-year hiatus since the excellent “Years Of Aggression,” it’s clear that the wait has been well worth it. The band appears to have reached its peak of maturity and creativity.
The album kicks off with a lethal trio of tracks, led by “When The Lions Die,” a quintessential Thrash Metal anthem that sets the tone for what’s to come. “Crypts Of Madness” follows suit, opening dynamically with riffs that seize the listener’s attention, before transitioning into a mid-tempo section, only to return with a vengeance towards the end. Rounding off the top three is “Purified By Fire,” exuding an Old School Thrash Metal vibe reminiscent of the German’s Thrash Metal scene golden era.
The fourth track, “Deathstalker,” features guest appearances by Sakis Tolis, Fotis Benardo, and Efthimis Karadimas, injecting a special energy into the album with their wealth of experience. Despite its Heavy Metal leanings, the song seamlessly fits into the album’s overall character. Halfway through the album, “Profane Prayer” ramps up the intensity with soaring speeds, delivering a classic Thrash Metal onslaught.
“The Return Of The Reaper” boasts a memorable chorus that leaves an indelible mark from the very first listen, epitomizing everything one could desire from a Thrash album. The momentum continues with “Guard Of The Insane” and “Virtues Of Destruction,” tailor-made for live performances, fueling mosh pits and relentless headbanging with their unrelenting pace.
These two tracks serve as prime examples of well-executed Thrash Metal, reaffirming SUICIDAL ANGELS’ status as one of the genre’s premier bands worldwide. And to cap it all off, the band delivers a 10-minute epic that features the unexpected inclusion of the santouri, seamlessly woven into the composition without feeling out of place.
The quartet comprising SUICIDAL ANGELS deserves commendation for their exceptional work on this album. With releases like these, the Greek Metal scene continues to assert its dominance on the global stage. Special mention must also be made of the album cover, a true work of art crafted by Ed Repka.
As 2024 dawns, the band finds themselves armed with an album ablaze with fiery intensity and a return to Nuclear Blast Records. Here’s hoping for a swifter follow-up, without the lengthy five-year wait we endured this time around.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Andreas Fytros
Related Link: SUICIDAL ANGELS – Official Page
