Italian dark thrashers Baphomet’s blood take the primal and grim ambience and atmosphere of black metal and the occult and mix it with the early thrash styled approach of the early 80’s to create a real fast paced and evil sounding record. Aptly titled, “In Satan We Trust”, every track has a name drop or reference to El Diablo himself/herself/itself, whether it be samples from horror films or screaming out his name, it’s very evil and that’s always a fun thing.

From the 2 and a half minute sample based opening of the album’s first track, “Command Of The Inverted Cross” to the final bars of “Eleg”, a Farao cover, it’s a fast paced, stripped back, simplistic and predictable approach, mixed with plenty of dark themes and ill intent. Powerful drums and basslines pin the pace down and allow the wild and untamed guitars to do their thing. Buzzing away like a swarm of angry locusts dosed up on Methamphetamine, the twin guitar assault with the Venom-meets-Motorhead styled vocal delivery, the speedy Satan praising thrash onslaught pulls no punches. With that classic 80’s sound and some lightning quick and blistering solo’s, it is a full on assault.

“In Satan We Trust” brings some Merciful Fate styled sounds to the table with the hybrid bastard offspring of heavy metal and thrash metal, packed with plenty of speed and plenty of bite, but instead of the piercing wails for vocals, it’s the raw and sleazy shouts , complete with a guitar solo trade off spot which goes down well. “Hellbreaker” is frantic paced from the get go, hitting speeds which veteran windmillers like Corpsegrinder would have trouble keeping up with at times and the vocals are even wilder. After this, the remaining tracks all follow the same formula and structure near enough – fast, wild, shouted vocals, solo’s played at rapid pace and plenty of powerful rhythms.

“Infernal Overdrive” breaks this mold slightly, being the most intense track of the album. Starting off dramatically, it builds before it peaks and explodes into a thunderous sounding and venomously delivered slice of no bullshit thrash. Pounding drums, powerful and booming basslines with tight and precise lead fills and licks which have a building feel, ramping the intensity up even more, it really gets going and as expected, the wild and maelstrom of chaos which comes in the form of the solo is fantastic.

Overall, “In Satan We Trust” is a solid album. It isn’t shit, but it doesn’t excel or shine out either compared to its contemporaries which were released in the thrash scene this year. All it is, is no nonsense speed-thrash metal with some darkness, primal anger and shameless Satan supporting with a real 80’s feel to it. It’s worth a listen, especially for the diehard thrashers out there, but as for everyone else, you’ll either like it, or tire of it quickly. To the point, no fucking about, Baphomet’s Blood trust in Satan, and that trust has been repaid with some fast as fuck riff wizardry!

(6/10 Fraggle)

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