Els focs negres

Based in Portugal but singing in the Catalan language of East Spain, Els Focs Negres deliver the kind of rampant blackened heavy metal excess that we’ve come to expect from Hispanic climes. This debut is the first outing for these 5 maniacs, 3 of whom met in the more extreme prospect Filii Nigrantium Infernalium, and the self-titled album exhibits a love of ‘80s heavy metal, occult themes, and the kind of live chaos that brings groups like Midnight and Whipstriker their acclaim. Including covers by Tank and Ruthless (the US power metal staple ‘Metal Without Mercy’ becomes ‘Metal No Mercy’ here) shows more of the ramshackle intent for Els Focs Negres, yet the clear ambition of ‘Flux Malèfic (Victimes de Déu)’ heading up to 10 minutes may also beckon comparison to Acerus.

Traditional heavy metal style dominates the 8 tracks, with ‘Tenebres - Nostra Senyora de Montserrat’ standing out as an exceptionally fluid bout of twin guitar instrumentalism, though the grit-encrusted lead vocals of Monsenyor Bthzr lend a much darker aura at other times, as do crazed solos and relentlessly high pace on certain songs. For reference, imagine primal Brazilian thrash being dragged back about a decade earlier. Each track leaves a strong mark, the mid-range King Diamond-isms of ‘Consagració de l'Infern’ feeling especially potent, while the covers fit the original material like a spiked leather glove, only heavier on vocal hooks. Els Focs Negres seem just the kind of group primed for underground heavy metal approval.


Originally written for Metalegion #8 - www.metalegion.com