Doctrinas & Rituales

In my pursuit of looking for new thrash bands, I discovered this band from Colombia. I don't really know very much about the Latin American metal scene (mainly because, let's be honest: it has not been so important for the worldwide metal scene beyond bands like Sepultura and Angra [and possibly Sarcófago as well]), so this was the perfect opportunity for me to get to know something that could be good enough to recommend.

To be honest, I don't really know why I got interested in this particular band. The album cover is ugly as f**k and I had heard some snippets of song, and they sounded pretty harsh and with no much production effort, but I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. So, with a little interest and enthusiasm, I listened to this material and...

...it is good. I think it is good music.

"Doctrinas y Rituales" is a good thrash/speed/kind-of-death metal effort with a raw and malevolent sound and some intense and aggressive riffs which could remind of the best moment of bands like Kreator, Exumer and Morbid Saint (bands more inclined towards a more harsh and demoniac sound). It has actually good enough stuff to satisfy those who enjoy an evil-sounding thrash metal. My personal favourite track from this album is "Destrución Letal" owing to that fierce and fast beginning.

However. let's admit it. It is a pretty linear album. There is no much variety within the bunch of tracks that the album contains. Everything is fast, dark, rough, but there are no many other surprises or things that give this album a more definite personality. As I told before, it is enjoyable, but for those who are looking for something more refined or artistic, there is no much to listen to here.

Also, the execution and production make the album sound kind of dirty and faulty, in a bad sense. Maybe you could tell that the production is not necessarily a bad thing if the intention is giving, precisely, a harsh atmosphere to the music, but I think the songwriting is good enough to become an even better album had it been recorded with better sound quality. Repetitive and linear? Of course, but even more powerful and refined.

Nevertheless, as I told you, I can't destroy this release not I can tell it is bad. There is enough thrash to have a good time and I am pretty sure that watching this band live should be fun and great to mosh and listen to some thrash with friends, but, once again, it is not a very refined album. I recommend it if you like the German or Brazilian thrash scenes. I think there is enough aggression for those who are fans of these particular movements.