Spread Cruelty in the Abyss

Oh South America, how rarely you disappoint! Invocation Spells are a gem in this niche of metal fury. The fourth campaign of Invocation Spell's black/thrash war on our ears starts with a very similar, and satisfying gallop that opened The Flame Of Hate. I really hope it's a trend that continues.

I first must touch on the production quality of this bands material. It's perfect. Not low-fi, but quite clean in comparison to most South American bands. But fear not. The production quality isn't sterile, retaining plenty of that SA grit. Especially in the vocal department with a 'dude yelling drunkenly in his garage' charm.

The drums kick your teeth in. Pummeling like a freight train with a hearty, thick tone. From blitzkrieg blasting and double kicking, to mid pace and slow in some sections, driving the very layered and balanced compositions of these hymns of war. While visceral and blistering guitars melt your face, with a classic black/thrash tone. Killer riffs painting a soundscape of hellish war, and evil's triumph.

Invocation Spells are at the very top of my list of bands playing this style. One thing I noticed when I picked up their second offering was the clear influence of later Darkthrone. While not plagiarizing the Norwegian giants, this band is definitely inspired by Darkthrone's own brand of black/thrash. Songs like 'Obscure and Evil', and '...From the Graves' could have easily been outtakes from Circle the Wagons, or The Undergroud Resistance.

Spread Cruelty in the Abyss is an album that offers top tier music. An album that is well thought out and expertly executed. An album that doesn't sound like the whole thing is the first song played eight times. A nasty, angry, violent war machine that deserves your attention.