Rule of thumb: If a metal band’s name includes the word “Sadistic”, or a variation of such (i.e. Sadistik Exekution), they’re gonna rule. Look no further than Sadistic Intent, Sadistic Force, Sadistic Ritual, and the subject of today’s review, Sadistic Goatmessiah, who have the word “Sadistic” AND “Goat” in their name. That’s two points right there! They also hail from Germany, a country with a rich metal history going back to the early ’70s, and boast such members as Morbid Goatpriest of Lust, Filth and Mayhem on chainsaws and carcassvoice, Goat Primator on blasts and explosions, and Goatess of Fire on apocalyptic roars and dooms, so you already know where this is going.
Rather than drawing from the well of fellow countrymen Sodom, Destruction, and Kreator, Sadistic Goatmessiah’s devilish brand of blackened thrash sounds sonically caught in a time warp between black metal’s first and second waves, largely reminiscent of Japanese black metal gods, Sabbat. While there’s no shortage of thrashing and speeding to be had on their debut full length, Violence (An aptly titled album!), there’s also a bevy of songs that can be classified as full blown, unadulterated black metal, albeit in a proto-Scandinavian textbook manner. Again, it’s hard to listen to this affair and not hear shades of the late ’80s.
From the opening onslaught of “Iron Lungs (The Choirs of Hell)”, what immediately stands out is the harshness of the guitars and the bestial attack of the band as a unit. There’s no paper-thin tremolo riffing or corpsepaint faced theatrics to be found here. The riffs are muscular, the rhythm section is thunderous, and the songs boast that adventurous charisma of the aforementioned Sabbat, with perhaps a hint of Nifelheim. Devilish dirges like “The 7th Circle of Hell” and “Messiah of Death and Doom” nail that strictly black metal vibe I mentioned in the last paragraph, while the soaring “Forces of Evil” and traditional leaning “Curse of Eternal Winter” could easily pass as lost Sabbat tunes circa their late ’80s EP era.
If there’s any first wave black metal act conjured over the course of Violence, it’s the mighty Hellhammer. Although far from a blatant Hellhammer worship band, Sadistic Goatmessiah pay homage by incorporating those skull-crushing Tom G. Warrior-esque riffs, a healthy dose of punkish vitriol, and even the occasional “OUGH!”, because what’s more black metal than that? And no cut on here is more Hellhammerian than the blackened doom murk of “Euphoria of Death”. Even when toying with slower tempos and unorthodox atmosphere, this band remains compelling as ever. The sizzling devil speed-thrash of “Darkness and Evil” brings the album to a close in a manner that IS reminiscent of Sodom and friends, as if Sadistic Goatmessiah wanted to remind us that they are German after all!
For a band who has released nothing but demos and splits for the better part of a half decade, Sadistic Goatmessiah enter the full length arena with confidence and force. Violence is a fresh, invigorating spin on classic black metal, guaranteed to get the certified maniacs thrashing around the pentagram, and damning the non-believers to the hottest pit of hades. It’s fast, raw, evil, wild, and most importantly, memorable. Any band can take their pic of ’80s black metal legends to ape and pose. Sadistic Goatmessiah, on the other hand, are the real deal. Lord help us all.
8 out of 10
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal
For fans of: Sabbat, Nifelheim, Hellhammer