They may have whetted the appetite with their two EPs, The Rise of Heresy in 2020 and last year’s The Absence of Light, but they were merely an advance shot across the bows for what was coming. Yes, the debut full-length release from the Brazilian death metal thrash outfit The Troops of Doom is here and boy, there are no restraints.
Joining former Sepultura guitarist Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz is bassist/vocalist Alex Kafer (Enterro, Explicit Hate, ex-Necromancer), drummer Alexandre Oliveira (Southern Blacklist, Raising Conviction), and guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis, and acclaimed graphic artist for the likes of Slayer, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and Hatebreed). It may be classed as a supergroup, but regardless of what you label this band one thing is certain; this is an aural assault of the highest order with 40 minutes of visceral aggression, delivered the old school way with a blistering approach that holds back nothing from start to finish. Signing to the Moonspell frontman and Alma Mater Records owner Fernando Ribeiro ensured that the band had the backing needed. With mixing by Peter Tägtgren at the iconic The Abyss Studio and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Blacklounge Studio, Sweden, Antichrist Reborn also features guest musicians including João Gordo (Ratos de Porão) and Alex Camargo & Moyses Kolesne (Krisiun).
A brief intro leads to the opening track, the fast and furious “Dethroned Messiah”, which combines those early frantic days of Sepultura with a host of old school death metal bands in a balled fist that slams the head hard and heavy. Kafer’s gruff delivery is perfect for the punishing riffage that he presides over, his thunderous bass combining with Oliveria’s powerhouse drumming whilst Guedz and Vacso are let loose on the riffs. It’s more thrash than death at many moments, especially when the lead solos are given air to break out from their bonds.
The tempo is fast, very fast, with a pulverising delivery that rarely slows for a second. It’s a high intensity approach that pays dividends with a brutality that is often missing in such music. Check out the fills on the opening of “Far from Your God” which are thrown in with an ease that is obscene. If this doesn’t get you banging your head, then you’ve got no pulse.
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Yes, the South American vibe is strong, with their heritage and roots steeped in the Seps, but given that Guedz was playing with the band in those early days, that is hardly surprising. So, whilst the band are very much immersed in that lates 80s death metal style, they are also contemporary enough to bridge the gap to 2022.
Critics may argue that Antichrist Reborn is one-dimensional in approach, but I’d argue that there is plenty to appeal to a wider audience that just the old school death metal fan. There is ample melody, and the musicianship is top class. Oliveria’s drummer in parts is insane, a blisteringly heavy and relentless battering that rarely allows time for breath.
The emotional passage “Grief”, a short instrumental number does provide that breather, but it’s the only opportunity to fill the lungs before we are off again, with the demonic “Pray Into the Abyss”, a slower and malevolent beast that explodes into a punishing, driving attack before dropping into a circle pit demanding chug. There’ll be pit action of a different kind if the likes of “The Rebellion” is dropped into the mix in a live set for it’s another example of the sheer savagery that The Troops of Doom bring to the mix.
Antichrist Reborn really is an album that keeps going until the final drop. The finale is a meaty beast in “Preacher’s Paradox”, a fine and imposing track that is positioned to make maximum impact. With lyrics that spit at religion, reflect on the state of the world and scream with angst, this is The Troops of Doom’s finest hour to date.
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Antichrist Reborn is out on 15th April
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