Sacro

In the five years between Reqviem and Sacro, Masacre kept busy riding out the death metal wave of the early 1990s. From 1991 onward they toured, got heavily promoted in Europe, released a split with Profanatica in 1992, and a thick doomy death metal EP in 1993. Based on quality musical releases, excellent musicianship, and touring, Masacre earned a wider audience. Subsequently, in 1996 they released the primal Sacro onto their old and new fans.

Masacre got tighter musically as they gained experience. Riffs are faster, transitions smoother, the rhythm section is more dynamic, and Alex's vocal range remains monstrous. Mid paced thrash riffs replaced the doom passages of previous Masacre releases resulting in faster aggressive songs. Juan Carlos Gómez isn't a guitar hero. Instead, he uses adroitly placed melodic licks, melody leads, and melodic solos to offset heavy riffs or propel crescendo.

Dark themes of drug violence and societal blight reflecting parts of Medellin, Colombia, fill the lyrics and music on Sacro creating a primitive ambiance. Jorge Londoño plays rhythm guitar giving Masacre their first twin guitar attack since their 1991 EP Ola de violencia. The result is a beefy harmonization of deathly guitars riffing your brain to fragments. A huge sounding production adds depth enhancing Masacre' primitive violent sound.

Combine excellent song writing and musicianship with dark themes, and the result is Sacro by Masacre. Sacro ain't essential or mandatory, but it's definitely a Colombian import worth owning.