DIABOLIC FORCE Praise Of Satan [CD]

A cult name in the metal underground, DIABOLIC FORCE are a power-trio in the classic mold of Venom, Bulldozer, and Mot-rhead. Theirs is a nasty 'n' blasphemous sound that encompasses the totality of ancient metal, be it thrash, speed, or first-wave black, but especially the unholy trinity of early Sodom, Bathory and Hellhammer. DIABOLIC FORCE built a granite-solid name on their underground work during the first decade of the 2000s, with the title of their first EP, Old School Attack, laying bare their aims. But it was the release of their debut album, March to Calvary, in 2009 which ingratiated the band to diehards the world over. Alas, the band have been sadly silent since, but the time has now arisen for Praise of Satan: in every way conceivable, an intensification and solidification of the trademark DIABOLIC FORCE: attack, fouler and fiercer and more memorable than ever.

Despite that silence, the members of DIABOLIC FORCE have been incredibly prolific with their other bands, which include Atomic Roar, Whipstriker, and Farscape among many others. With activities restarted in 2015, the band promises of Praise of Satan, "This album keeps the same influences, but we're playing more in the South American style, like Mutilator, Sarcofago, and Vulcano. The new songs sound more raw and nasty than before. Few notes, few riffs, and vocals full of reverb and delay. This record comes from the grave."

Indeed, from the sepulchral thrust of opener "Satan's Power" to epic coffin-closer "The Circle," Praise of Satan is the fullest, filthiest expression of DIABOLIC FORCE yet. Across ten tracks in a compact 32 minutes, the album ranges everything in the band's arsenal - punkish gallop, chaotic speed, loose 'n' lawless execution, dungeon-bred darkness, immediate headbangability - making for a wild 'n' wily ride through the realm of ancient metal. It's a strict (and stratifying) sound that somehow unites legions of extreme-music fanatics, much as their forefathers did, but it's all - and always - DIABOLIC FORCE. No compromise, no progression, no hope, no sellout: this is the ultimate Praise of Satan!