Year: 2022
Total Time: 47:05
Label: Alma Mater Records
Latin America, and more specifically Brazil, has always had and still has a unique relationship with the extreme genres of our beloved music, as it has been a source of some very important and special extreme metal bands. Thus, gifted with this germ, THE TROOPS OF DOOM were formed in 2020. The band has released two very remarkable EPs, “The Rise Of Heresy” and “The Absence Of Light”, in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Those who will notice the name of the band, will immediately think of the well-known song of SEPULTURA, and rightly so! In fact, there is a significant connection between the two bands, since the mastermind of THE TROOPS OF DOOM is Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz, former guitarist of SEPULTURA with participation in the albums “Bestial Devastation” and “Morbid Visions”, while it is rumored that he also had a small contribution in “Schizophrenia”.
After introducing themselves with their two EPs, THE TROOPS OF DOOM decided to release this year their debut album entitled “Antichrist Reborn”, with the cover and the title referring to “Bestial Devastation” album. In fact, Sergio “AlJarrinha” Oliveira, the artist who created the cover artwork for SEPULTURA’s first official release, is responsible for the cover artwork! Musically, the Brazilians take us on a violent journey to the Death/Thrash Metal that dominated in the late 80’s and early 90’s and more specifically to the sound of “Schizophrenia” and “Beneath the Remains” albums, reinforced with influences from SLAYER, CELTIC FROST and DEATH of the “Leprosy” era.
The rhythm of the album is sweeping with excellent compositions which, although they are not innovative, are well crafted with melodies in parts, which were “inspired” by “Inner Self”. Of course THE TROOPS OF DOOM leave their personal mark, but unfortunately not as much as we would expect and should. To tell you the truth, we come across a pathogenesis that they had in their EPs as well, meaning that there are parts that, no matter how bona fide you are, they sound like they are covering SEPULTURA. On the other hand, one might think that Jairo was a member of the band and participated in the compositions, so it makes sense that this would happen. Of course, the band should try to disassociate themselves from this fact in their next releases, so that we can hear what they really have to offer…
As for the production of the album, it is flawless and how could it not be, since the huge Peter Tägtgren and the legendary The Abyss Studio are responsible for it! The album is released by the label of Fernando Ribeiro of MOONSPELL. So those of you who are reminiscing about the good old days of SEPULTURA and old fashioned Death/Thrash Metal, “Antichrist Reborn”, is the perfect sonic drug for you and it is sure that you will be blown away! Although it doesn’t claim laurels of originality, it is a pretty remarkable example of Brazilian Extreme Metal.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: THE TROOPS OF DOOM – Facebook Page
