Apocalyptic Visions

For those that know about the mean streets of New York City, the Bronx is known for its violence, drugs, and poverty. The Boogie Down Burial Ground is what the band called its birthplace and it became a trademark throughout their career. Although there were few bands, the Bronx will never be known as a stomping ground for extreme metal or heavy metal in general. Some bands like Demolition Hammer tried to lay claim to the fact that they were all born and raised in the Bronx, but in fact the band had members were both from the Bronx and Yonkers, NY. Hellbound was born and all members raised in the Bronx and in 1991 changed the borough forever with their first official demo release, "Apocalyptic Visions."

The demo came at a time where the genre had did a complete 180. Out was the thrash, power, and death-thrash sounds and was replaced with grind, the beginnings of the black metal comeback, and the overseas death invasion. Hellbound didn't invent anything new, but it was a breath of fresh air in a city where death metal still took a backseat to hardcore and punk. Hellbound's sound has that European feel to it with tinges of American thrash thrown in. You can hear the influences right away during the ripping-paced title track, "Apocalyptic Visions". With a heavy mix of Slayer, Kreator, and Morbid Angel, the main riff is catchy and the chorus memorable. The second track, "Sorrow on My Mind", is where I hear major American thrash. Very melodic and aggressive, it has almost a Metallica/Testament feel with a mix of German thrash (ala Helloween/Rage).

On track three, the Death/Sepultura-inspired "My Guilt is Silence" starts with a hypnotic mid-paced riff until it speeds up halfway in with a Kreator-like ending. "Infernal Ecstasy" incorporates a melodically-sickening riff that sounds like Iron Maiden on 45! The production is raw, but it sounds amazing. It fits the band's needs very well. Lyrics range from fantasy to socialism to suffering. They were different emotions lyrically from vocalist J.D Valladares where, at a time, lyrics were dominated in the genre by gore, death, sex, the occult, and more gore. There's solid drumming throughout by Louie Cordero and Scott McAloon adds a nice punch bass-wise. Aaron Reed's guitar playing sounds like Kerry King on acid; blazing, punishing, in your face riffs that keep the music relentless throughout the demo. J.D.'s vocals are a combination of Millie Petrozza/Kreator and Martin Walkyier/Sabbat and fits absolutely perfectly with the band's sound.

A stellar effort by the band for their first official release and the first release ever by a death/thrash metal band from the Bronx. Pioneers indeed.