Today marks the first time Sadistic Force’s name has graced our esteemed (depending on who you ask) publication. They’re one of those bands who I’ve noticed making waves across the heavy web for quite a few years now, and one look at their Metal Archives page explains why. Since their 2020 formation, they’ve bolstered their profile by consistently releasing new music in the form of EPs, singles, and a full length. Midnight Assassin is the band’s second full length and I can only apologize for being this late to the party.
Compared to most black/thrash/speed revivalists, Sadistic Force stands out for having a sense of depth and nuance to their sound, or at least as much depth and nuance as one can have playing this type of metal. A good half of Midnight Assassin can be characterized as straightforward blackened thrash in the vein of Toxic Holocaust, balancing hate-fueled mosh riffs and skull crushing speed with a healthy dose of darkness. The other half is some loud and rowdy black ‘n’ roll that channels the “Lust, Filth, and Sleaze” of Midnight, with an obvious hint of Motörhead on the side. In other words, this album isn’t one you’d want to take home to meet mom and dad!
The album’s opening cut, “Corpsewood Curse”, throws all of these elements into one 6 minute display of hellish rage. It lasts a bit longer than most songs of this nature, but not to the point of overstaying its welcome. “Speeding Black Leather Hell” introduces us to the band’s rocking side, kicking the listener in the teeth with piss and vinegar galore. Other songs in this vein include the undeniably foul “Nuremberg Nights” and blatantly balls out “Campaign of Sin”, the latter a nasty banger that’d put a smile on Lemmy’s mustachioed face. Yep, all these decades later, and grimy bass, ripping guitars, and thundering drums set to a catchy groove is all you need.
On the black/thrash side of the spectrum are no shortage of ripping moments as well. Unlike most bands in this vein who exclusively draw inspiration from black metal’s first wave, it’s easy to hear Sadistic Force’s nod to the Norwegian second wave on cuts like “Marked for Death” and the title cut. Amidst the raw ’80s worship are outbursts of devilish tremolo riffs and crushing blasts. As I’ve said before, think “thrashened black” as opposed to “blackened thrash”. “The Butcher’s Apron” is a mosh-thrash beatdown of devastating proportions, while the closing “Howl of the Hordes” rounds this album out on a drunken, rowdy note.
Make no mistake, Sadistic Force lives up to their name. Even if the tropes are familiar territory for headbangers, the songs scratch that black/thrash/speed itch and their energy is the real deal. With the weekend right around the corner, take this as your cue to hit up your neighborhood liquor store, buy a bottle of Jack Daniel’s, and wash it down with this bad boy blaring out of the stereo. If the neighbors ain’t complaining, it ain’t loud enough. Midnight Assassin kills!
7 out of 10
Label: Goat Throne Records
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
For fan of: Wraith, Midnight, Hellripper